Some Info on Certifications
We try and source as many certified products as possible but it isn't always possible, if you hear the affordability linked to it you will understand why.
ECOCERT
Ecocert is an organic certification organization, founded in France in 1991. It is based in Europe but conducts inspections in over 80 countries, making it one of the largest organic certification organizations in the world.
Ecocert primarily certifies food and food products, but also certifies cosmetics, detergents, perfumes, and textiles. The company inspects about 70% of the organic food industry in France and about 30% worldwide. Ecocert is also a leading certifier of fair trade food, cosmetics and textiles as per Ecocert Fair Trade standards.
THE LEAPING BUNNY
Cruelty Free International and its partners manage the certification of all the companies across the world looking to be cruelty free. Companies producing beauty and household products which do not test their products on animals for any market can request membership of The Leaping Bunny Program, which allows that company to feature Cruelty Free International's Leaping Bunny logo on their products. This program sets global standard of operations and sales.
SAOSA Organic Producer (Farmer and/or Processor):
SAOSO (South African Organic Sector Organisation) provides the umbrella under which PGS-SA can provide producers with the route by which they can become formally recognised as Organic producers.
SAHPRA
The Regulatory Compliance unit of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is responsible for the enforcing and monitoring compliance of all health products, personnel and the facilities under which those products are handled with the provisions of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 (Medicines Act) and other Health Acts.
COSMOS
The COSMOS-standard defines the criteria that companies must meet to ensure consumers that their products are genuine organic or natural cosmetics produced to the highest feasible sustainability practices.
EUROPEAN UNION & USA
European Union – organic regulations & USA - The National Organic Program (NOP)
CERES (CERtification of Environmental Standards)
Certification for organic farming and food processing, for organic textiles, for Good Agricultural and Good Manufacturing Practices in the food industry, and also certification according to several agricultural sustainability standards.
BDOCA (Bio-dynamic and Organic Certification Authority)
The BDOCA operates under the Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990 and regulates and controls sales of organic products in SA.
CANSA Seal of Recognition - CANSA Smart Choice Seal
The Smart Choice endorsement programme is part of an ongoing effort by the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to reduce exposure to carcinogens and other risk factors associated with cancer development.
CANSA aims to promote a smart, balanced lifestyle using the CANSA Smart Choice Seal as a tool to assist the public in making healthier, informed choices.
Ecocert is an organic certification organization, founded in France in 1991. It is based in Europe but conducts inspections in over 80 countries, making it one of the largest organic certification organizations in the world.
Ecocert primarily certifies food and food products, but also certifies cosmetics, detergents, perfumes, and textiles. The company inspects about 70% of the organic food industry in France and about 30% worldwide. Ecocert is also a leading certifier of fair trade food, cosmetics and textiles as per Ecocert Fair Trade standards.
THE LEAPING BUNNY
Cruelty Free International and its partners manage the certification of all the companies across the world looking to be cruelty free. Companies producing beauty and household products which do not test their products on animals for any market can request membership of The Leaping Bunny Program, which allows that company to feature Cruelty Free International's Leaping Bunny logo on their products. This program sets global standard of operations and sales.
SAOSA Organic Producer (Farmer and/or Processor):
SAOSO (South African Organic Sector Organisation) provides the umbrella under which PGS-SA can provide producers with the route by which they can become formally recognised as Organic producers.
SAHPRA
The Regulatory Compliance unit of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is responsible for the enforcing and monitoring compliance of all health products, personnel and the facilities under which those products are handled with the provisions of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 (Medicines Act) and other Health Acts.
COSMOS
The COSMOS-standard defines the criteria that companies must meet to ensure consumers that their products are genuine organic or natural cosmetics produced to the highest feasible sustainability practices.
EUROPEAN UNION & USA
European Union – organic regulations & USA - The National Organic Program (NOP)
CERES (CERtification of Environmental Standards)
Certification for organic farming and food processing, for organic textiles, for Good Agricultural and Good Manufacturing Practices in the food industry, and also certification according to several agricultural sustainability standards.
BDOCA (Bio-dynamic and Organic Certification Authority)
The BDOCA operates under the Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990 and regulates and controls sales of organic products in SA.
CANSA Seal of Recognition - CANSA Smart Choice Seal
The Smart Choice endorsement programme is part of an ongoing effort by the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) to reduce exposure to carcinogens and other risk factors associated with cancer development.
CANSA aims to promote a smart, balanced lifestyle using the CANSA Smart Choice Seal as a tool to assist the public in making healthier, informed choices.
Some of our suppliers/manufacturers have been certified and hold certificates and some not.
WHY DO WE OFFER UNCERTIFIED PRODUCTS, YOU MAY ASK ?
AFFORDABILITY
To obtain these certifications are quite pricey ! Yip, believe it or not ... it is in industry to issue certificates and for a manufacturer/supplier to obtain these is a lengthy difficult process and costing them a tremendous amount of money, depending on the range of products they manufacture. To give you an idea ... one supplier's certification fees are over R200 000 p/year and another almost R500 000 p/year (as in some cases it needs to be paid in USD). Also another reason why the price of organic & natural products are on the expensive side because ultimately you pay for them to have the certifications as well !
EXPORTING & RISK BASED AUDITS.
* Certifications are tremendously beneficial for exports & International Business. If a supplier/manufacturer wants to export their products they have to meet certain "rules & regulations" in order to export successfully, for client assurity, customs clearance and also to make sure that the Organic integrity is maintained & traceable . There are criterias, regulations and standards they have to meet to comply with the product standards in various countries for exporting & importing purposes - legal requirements for certain & different countries. Therefor there are certifications available a supplier/manufacturer can apply for, to prove they meet the certain standards, criteria and regulations. Thus, it is very important & crucial.
* Without it, a supplier/manufacturer may incur a tremendous financial loss (and/or product loss) if they try to export without these documents.
* It is sometimes also needed to assist with risk based audits.
FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Certified:
If a supplier/manufacturer is certified it is because they can afford it, want to do it or need to do it for export & risk audit purposes - Their company, their product, their choice.
Not Certified:
* Non-organically certified companies who has never been certified before - It is a financial and business decision they made for their business. Do they see the need to get certifications or not.
* Smaller businesses - Not everyone is in the financial situation to go straight into being certified - If a company/manufacturer has outstanding products, certifications could be their next step.
* Some suppliers also use to be certified but no longer see the need for it as it is costing them "certificate renewal fees" whereas they feel they can rather utilise the funds in their business on something else.
* Or they no longer export and choose not to renew certifications.
It doesn't mean their products are no longer organic, natural or animal cruelty free, it just means they decided to no longer spend funds on certifications.
In Progress:
Some manufacturers/suppliers who have made the decision to get certified could still be in the process/awaiting their certifications.
Certification Renewals:
If a company/manufacturer can afford it, wants to do it or have to do it, they can.
BENEFITS:
Of course from a consumer's point of view it almost instantly gives a better peace of mind and a consumer will most probably buy products with more ease. Unfortunately with suppliers/manufacturers not having certifications it makes it harder for the consumer to believe them and difficult in time & effort for the consumer, to do research on the company & product/s before buying. Not always easy, but an open book policy will be the key to convincing and a road of building trust. Difficult but do-able.
CONCLUSION:
Don't assume uncertified companies do not offer organic, natural or animal cruelty free - some decisions are purely if it will be financially beneficial to them or not, do they see the benefit for their company & product/s, can they can afford it, do they export or not, that's it.
As we mentioned before, check the ingredients and ask as many questions as you want about the product/s - If you do not like the answers don't buy the product - Investigate and do your research - don't just believe anything you hear or read - Educate yourself !.
WHY DO WE OFFER UNCERTIFIED PRODUCTS, YOU MAY ASK ?
AFFORDABILITY
To obtain these certifications are quite pricey ! Yip, believe it or not ... it is in industry to issue certificates and for a manufacturer/supplier to obtain these is a lengthy difficult process and costing them a tremendous amount of money, depending on the range of products they manufacture. To give you an idea ... one supplier's certification fees are over R200 000 p/year and another almost R500 000 p/year (as in some cases it needs to be paid in USD). Also another reason why the price of organic & natural products are on the expensive side because ultimately you pay for them to have the certifications as well !
EXPORTING & RISK BASED AUDITS.
* Certifications are tremendously beneficial for exports & International Business. If a supplier/manufacturer wants to export their products they have to meet certain "rules & regulations" in order to export successfully, for client assurity, customs clearance and also to make sure that the Organic integrity is maintained & traceable . There are criterias, regulations and standards they have to meet to comply with the product standards in various countries for exporting & importing purposes - legal requirements for certain & different countries. Therefor there are certifications available a supplier/manufacturer can apply for, to prove they meet the certain standards, criteria and regulations. Thus, it is very important & crucial.
* Without it, a supplier/manufacturer may incur a tremendous financial loss (and/or product loss) if they try to export without these documents.
* It is sometimes also needed to assist with risk based audits.
FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Certified:
If a supplier/manufacturer is certified it is because they can afford it, want to do it or need to do it for export & risk audit purposes - Their company, their product, their choice.
Not Certified:
* Non-organically certified companies who has never been certified before - It is a financial and business decision they made for their business. Do they see the need to get certifications or not.
* Smaller businesses - Not everyone is in the financial situation to go straight into being certified - If a company/manufacturer has outstanding products, certifications could be their next step.
* Some suppliers also use to be certified but no longer see the need for it as it is costing them "certificate renewal fees" whereas they feel they can rather utilise the funds in their business on something else.
* Or they no longer export and choose not to renew certifications.
It doesn't mean their products are no longer organic, natural or animal cruelty free, it just means they decided to no longer spend funds on certifications.
In Progress:
Some manufacturers/suppliers who have made the decision to get certified could still be in the process/awaiting their certifications.
Certification Renewals:
If a company/manufacturer can afford it, wants to do it or have to do it, they can.
BENEFITS:
Of course from a consumer's point of view it almost instantly gives a better peace of mind and a consumer will most probably buy products with more ease. Unfortunately with suppliers/manufacturers not having certifications it makes it harder for the consumer to believe them and difficult in time & effort for the consumer, to do research on the company & product/s before buying. Not always easy, but an open book policy will be the key to convincing and a road of building trust. Difficult but do-able.
CONCLUSION:
Don't assume uncertified companies do not offer organic, natural or animal cruelty free - some decisions are purely if it will be financially beneficial to them or not, do they see the benefit for their company & product/s, can they can afford it, do they export or not, that's it.
As we mentioned before, check the ingredients and ask as many questions as you want about the product/s - If you do not like the answers don't buy the product - Investigate and do your research - don't just believe anything you hear or read - Educate yourself !.
“Our products are not Organically Certified although our ingredients encompass both Certified organic, and non Certified organic raw materials, and some natural ingredients which are not available organically.
We have considered applying for Organic Certification but having researched this subject, we are persuaded that this new and burgeoning industry needs careful scrutinisation.
As an Organic Skin care Company recreating traditional recipes, we have been using “organic” ingredients for many years.
Organic Certification has become a multimillion dollar industry worldwide and yes, at first this sounds like exciting news for those of us whose philosophy in every aspect of our lives, is to “get rid of the chemicals and embrace an organic lifestyle.”
However, having researched the subject very thoroughly over recent years, we conclude that one can obtain Organic Certification in different overseas countries very easily if prepared to pay the high costs, but that a Certified Organic ingredient within a product does not necessarily mean that it is safe to be used on the human skin, just that it was derived from organic source and grown/processed without chemicals. Certain Certified Organic ingredients will never appear on our own ingredients listing because we strongly believe they are simply not safe to be used in skin care products. Yet, we constantly come across "Organically Certified" skin care and cosmetic companies around the world listing these ingredients on their labels and the consumer purchasing these products under the mistaken assumption that they are safe – because they are Certified Organic.
The disillusioning conclusion we have arrived at is that within the Organic Certification industry there is a considerable amount of "green washing" going on - which put bluntly, is the art of deceiving the consumer into thinking that because the ingredient is Certified Organic, it is safe to use. Yes, it is true that it may be grown or produced without the use of chemicals in an “organic” way but does that render it safe to put onto the human skin? We don't believe so. We are extremely fussy about our ingredients.
We are also passionate about animals and environmental issues and do not use any animal ingredients or test our products on animals. Packaging and labelling is purposefully kept simple but attractive in order to keep costs down as we are anxious that our products should remain affordable to all.
Highly priced Organic products mean that many South Africans cannot consider “going Organic” and therefore are forced to stay with using synthetic personal care products which could be detrimental to their health.
Finally, may I reiterate that we believe absolutely in the integrity of our suppliers in using the very best sustainably sourced, raw materials which are naturally grown, extracted and are free of any chemicals or animal ingredients and most critically, are not tested on animals.”
We have considered applying for Organic Certification but having researched this subject, we are persuaded that this new and burgeoning industry needs careful scrutinisation.
As an Organic Skin care Company recreating traditional recipes, we have been using “organic” ingredients for many years.
Organic Certification has become a multimillion dollar industry worldwide and yes, at first this sounds like exciting news for those of us whose philosophy in every aspect of our lives, is to “get rid of the chemicals and embrace an organic lifestyle.”
However, having researched the subject very thoroughly over recent years, we conclude that one can obtain Organic Certification in different overseas countries very easily if prepared to pay the high costs, but that a Certified Organic ingredient within a product does not necessarily mean that it is safe to be used on the human skin, just that it was derived from organic source and grown/processed without chemicals. Certain Certified Organic ingredients will never appear on our own ingredients listing because we strongly believe they are simply not safe to be used in skin care products. Yet, we constantly come across "Organically Certified" skin care and cosmetic companies around the world listing these ingredients on their labels and the consumer purchasing these products under the mistaken assumption that they are safe – because they are Certified Organic.
The disillusioning conclusion we have arrived at is that within the Organic Certification industry there is a considerable amount of "green washing" going on - which put bluntly, is the art of deceiving the consumer into thinking that because the ingredient is Certified Organic, it is safe to use. Yes, it is true that it may be grown or produced without the use of chemicals in an “organic” way but does that render it safe to put onto the human skin? We don't believe so. We are extremely fussy about our ingredients.
We are also passionate about animals and environmental issues and do not use any animal ingredients or test our products on animals. Packaging and labelling is purposefully kept simple but attractive in order to keep costs down as we are anxious that our products should remain affordable to all.
Highly priced Organic products mean that many South Africans cannot consider “going Organic” and therefore are forced to stay with using synthetic personal care products which could be detrimental to their health.
Finally, may I reiterate that we believe absolutely in the integrity of our suppliers in using the very best sustainably sourced, raw materials which are naturally grown, extracted and are free of any chemicals or animal ingredients and most critically, are not tested on animals.”
Yip, this is another one to look out for !
Be wary not to fall into the "sugarcoating" trap.
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of companies selling CBD products but guess what ... not all of them sell the REAL stuff - They are just out there to make money out of you, that's it (Be warned - There are LOTS OF grey products on the market) ! They are toying with your mind, exhausting your budget and more seriously putting your health at risk.
Once again, customers want these products for the medical value and health benefits. The "real deal" products - free of bad stuff !
We at Dragonfly Organic Living ask these tests and certifications from our suppliers. We read through all of these and look for various things (Yip, we learnt how to understand a little bit of lab talk too !). We believe in the "open book policy" and proof to back up their product statements.
From there on, the proof is in our customer feedback ! The real proof, is a big one for us.
Be wary not to fall into the "sugarcoating" trap.
There are literally hundreds and hundreds of companies selling CBD products but guess what ... not all of them sell the REAL stuff - They are just out there to make money out of you, that's it (Be warned - There are LOTS OF grey products on the market) ! They are toying with your mind, exhausting your budget and more seriously putting your health at risk.
Once again, customers want these products for the medical value and health benefits. The "real deal" products - free of bad stuff !
We at Dragonfly Organic Living ask these tests and certifications from our suppliers. We read through all of these and look for various things (Yip, we learnt how to understand a little bit of lab talk too !). We believe in the "open book policy" and proof to back up their product statements.
From there on, the proof is in our customer feedback ! The real proof, is a big one for us.