Teach Soap

I found the following criteria for classifying bath products as "100% organic," "organic" or "made with organic...":
http://botaniesoap.com/explanation-of-organic

If I'm asked if my soaps are organic how should I respond? It says that "Because of their chemistry, bar soaps cannot ever reach the 95% level of organic content." So the next classification for bar soap is "made with organic..." if it has at least 70% organic content... how will I know if my soap makes the cut? I buy all of my ingredients from Camden Grey. Would I have to contact them and ask about their oils and butters?

I also read in the site's FAQs that unless soap receives an official organic certification that it's in breach of national policy to make the organic claim on a label.

Anyone know if all of this is true?

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Soapmaiden (Natalie)

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

It sounds really ridiculous honestly. I think buying organic is more of a fad and less of an "informed" choice. It kind of seems overrated...

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Soapmaiden (Natalie)

I couldn't agree more. And the term (all natural) has many meanings.

I buy certified organic foods. But I know the regulation process extensively as it was the basis of one of the botany/environmental studies/philosophy courses which I took in University. Organics were actually covered in MANY of my courses! I buy them mostly because "traditional" foods use a lot of compounds and preservatives that aren't so great for folks with sensitivities and stomach problems.

That being said I would probably choose an organically produced product, such as soap, over one that was "traditionally" produced. Mostly because organic farming is less detrimental to the land (the chemicals used have half-lives that are generally 40 or 50 years lower than non-organic) and the farms are generally smaller and less into mono-culture (growing huge amounts of single crops which encourages pests and plant pathogens).

Just call me Captain Environment! LOL

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~~Heather~~
Mad [soaping] Scientist

If Camden Grey has organic oils, I would ask for COA sheets. Some vendors don't have them (or don't show them) because they don't want you to know where their supply comes from. If you knew, what would stop you from going to their supplier directly?

The problem I see is that any soaper can call their soaps organic and get away with it. The inspectors in the USA are severely understaffed and overwhelmed. The inspector's pay isn't that great and their territories are huge since there are so few of them. Small time soapers would never show up on their radar. They have bigger fish to fry.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Even just a quick search on Etsy for "organic soap" loads a ton of hits for soap that is certainly not certified organic. I'm not really concerned about my soaps being organic. The oils and butters I use are natural enough for most consumers. Thanks everyone for clearing things up. Really interesting.

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Soapmaiden (Natalie)

What you read is true, however there is a small exception for if you do under $5000 in sales per year.

Here are the basic rules (for the US):

"100 percent organic: Product must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.

Organic: Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Remaining product ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances approved on the National List or non-organically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form, also on the National List. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.

Made with more than 70% organic ingredients: Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and product label can list up to three of the organic ingredients or “food” groups on the principal display panel. For example, body lotion made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and only organic herbs may be labeled either “body lotion made with organic lavender, rosemary, and chamomile,” or “body lotion made with organic herbs.” Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address.

Made with less than 70% organic ingredients: Products cannot use the term “organic” anywhere on the principal display panel. However, they may identify the specific ingredients that are USDA-certified as being organically produced on the ingredients statement on the information panel. Products may not display the USDA Organic Seal and may not display a certifying agent’s name and address. Water and salt are also excluded here." (source: )

And here are the rules for small businesses:

"The strict USDA regulations on using the term “Organic” on a label allows one exemption for small producers: Producers who sell $5,000 or less worth of organic products on an annual basis are not required to become USDA organic certified.

This means that small producers of organic products may use the term “organic” on their labels. However, they cannot use the USDA certified organic seal, a third party certifier seal, and cannot make any other claims that the product is 'certified organic.'" (source: )

Hope this helps!

You have NO idea how much that helps! Thank you SO SO much!


-Luna

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

Thank you Andi. I didn't know about the $5,000 rule.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.