Increasing demand for tea in markets such as the United States is often
linked to the health consciousness of consumers. Accordingly, tea suppliers
are often keen to obtain organic certification for their product lines that are
readily recognizable in those markets. In the United States market, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented a National Organic
Program (NOP), with a certification mark that is easily
recognizable to American consumers.
In Canada, the new Organic Products Regulation went into effect June 30, 2009.
Previously, compliance with Canadian Standard for Organic Agriculture,
approved by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) in 1999, had been on a
voluntary basis. The new Regulation will be implemented through the Canadian
Organic Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
In the United Kingdom, organic certification is largely accomplished through private bodies such as the
UK Soil Association, whose independent accrediting body, Soil Association Certification Ltd., issues a
distinctive mark for certified organic produce within the United Kingdom that is well known in the tea
industry. Actual implementation of the EU's Regulation EC 834/2007 on organic products and labeling
in the United Kingdom falls to the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
(DEFRA). Alongside the UK Soil Association, DEFRA has approved eight other organic certifying bodies
in the UK.
Fair trade certification in most markets is coordinated by FLO International, whose independent
certifying body, FLO-CERT GmbH, is responsible for certifying products as "fair trade certified." Within
23 countries, affiliates of FLO International undertake fair trade certification, such as TransFair USA and
TransFair Canada. Many tea importers in the United States are now obtaining fair trade certification
from these various national-level bodies. Since 2001, TransFair USA has maintained a Tea Program
that monitors and certifies fair trade tea products.
Taking a rather different approach, the World Fair Trade Organization
(WFTO), certifies companies and organizations rather than individual
products. The WFTO seeks to certify companies as 100% free trade
compliant with respect to all of their products and operations.
linked to the health consciousness of consumers. Accordingly, tea suppliers
are often keen to obtain organic certification for their product lines that are
readily recognizable in those markets. In the United States market, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented a National Organic
Program (NOP), with a certification mark that is easily
recognizable to American consumers.
In Canada, the new Organic Products Regulation went into effect June 30, 2009.
Previously, compliance with Canadian Standard for Organic Agriculture,
approved by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) in 1999, had been on a
voluntary basis. The new Regulation will be implemented through the Canadian
Organic Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
In the United Kingdom, organic certification is largely accomplished through private bodies such as the
UK Soil Association, whose independent accrediting body, Soil Association Certification Ltd., issues a
distinctive mark for certified organic produce within the United Kingdom that is well known in the tea
industry. Actual implementation of the EU's Regulation EC 834/2007 on organic products and labeling
in the United Kingdom falls to the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
(DEFRA). Alongside the UK Soil Association, DEFRA has approved eight other organic certifying bodies
in the UK.
Fair trade certification in most markets is coordinated by FLO International, whose independent
certifying body, FLO-CERT GmbH, is responsible for certifying products as "fair trade certified." Within
23 countries, affiliates of FLO International undertake fair trade certification, such as TransFair USA and
TransFair Canada. Many tea importers in the United States are now obtaining fair trade certification
from these various national-level bodies. Since 2001, TransFair USA has maintained a Tea Program
that monitors and certifies fair trade tea products.
Taking a rather different approach, the World Fair Trade Organization
(WFTO), certifies companies and organizations rather than individual
products. The WFTO seeks to certify companies as 100% free trade
compliant with respect to all of their products and operations.
Law of Tea.com
A WEB RESOURCE FOR THE TEA INDUSTRY
A WEB RESOURCE FOR THE TEA INDUSTRY
TEA
ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE
ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE
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NOTICE: the logos and certification marks used on this page are presented for illustrative
purposes, and to provide links to each respective organization's webpage. These marks
are legally protected and should not be used on any product or promotional materials
without the express permission of the relevant certifying body.
purposes, and to provide links to each respective organization's webpage. These marks
are legally protected and should not be used on any product or promotional materials
without the express permission of the relevant certifying body.