What Is Organic?

◇"Organic" means grown organically.

　It refers to a farming method that does not use chemically synthesized pesticides or chemical fertilizers, but instead utilizes the natural power of the soil.

◇What are organic cosmetics?

These are products formulated with naturally derived ingredients and raw materials, manufactured without or with only minimal use of chemical components.

Skincare focused on restoring and enhancing the body's natural healing power. It is said to be less irritating for those with skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis or sensitive skin.In Japan, the standards for labeling products as "organic" are ambiguous (some ingredients may be organic, or the product may be labeled organic even if it does not contain any organic ingredients).Therefore, the manufacturer's philosophy, stance, or whether they have obtained international organic certifications serve as key criteria.

ーMajor Organic Certifications in Various Countriesー

Certifications issued based on standards that prove a product is made with organic farming methods,

minimizing the environmental and biological impact from the soil where raw materials are grown to the manufacturing process.

	ECOCERT Ecocert was established in 1991. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, it is an international organic certification body. It has 23 branches in various countries around the world, providing organic certification to over 80 countries. Standards for organic cosmetics vary by country and region, and Ecocert, with its strict global standards, is a pioneering presence in organic cosmetic certification.
	USDA In the United States, certification is carried out under the National Organic Program (NOP) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This requires that no pesticides have been used for more than three years in cultivation, submission of certification documents such as an organic cultivation plan, and on-site inspections by government-certified inspectors. After certification, annual reviews are conducted.
	BDIH BDIH stands for the "Federal Association of German Industries and Trading Firms for Pharmaceuticals, Health Products, Food Supplements and Cosmetics". As the number of natural cosmetics increased, this guideline was created to establish clear rules and provide unambiguous proof of organic status.
	COSMEBIO Established in 2002. This is a French association for ecological and organic cosmetics, comprising approximately 200 companies, including raw material suppliers, manufacturers, cosmetic laboratories, and distributors. Membership is only granted to products that have obtained organic certification.
	ACO Established in 2002. Australia's largest organic certification body. Originally an organization that certified agricultural products and organic food. Currently, it is the largest organic certification body in Australia. As it started with food standards, it is required to meet a safe-to-ingest level. The ACO certification logo is used on over 80% of organic products at the retail level in Australia.
	EU This mark certifies that agricultural products are produced in accordance with EU organic farming regulations. The 12 stars, symbolizing the European flag, the leaf shape, and the green "Euro-leaf," represent the integration of Europe and nature. Alongside the EU organic logo, the code number of the controlling body and the place where the agricultural raw materials composing the product were grown are also indicated.