RE.: Claims made against major brands including Kiss My Face, JASON, Stella McCartney, Eminence Organic Skin Care and many more….
Dear Valued Partner,
On January 14, 2010 a letter was distributed to numerous partners in the skin care industry which included various statements regarding the above named companies and several others. In addition, a news release has been issued by a consortium of four companies that have filed a complaint with the United States Department of Agriculture concerning the use of the term “organic” in connection with skin care products produced by the above and other companies. We want our customers and business partners to know that any such claims regarding Eminence Organic Skin Care and its distinguished line of products are unsubstantiated, and without merit. Customers may continue to use our products with the confidence that they are safe and fully compliant with US and international labeling requirements. As recently as 2007, Eminence received USDA assurance that its products are in full compliance with “organic”‐ labeling requirements. Eminence continues to offer USDA‐Certified skin care and products certified by the Demeter Association, the only global certifier of Organic and Biodynamic products, which offers the highest level of organic standards worldwide. The claims made by this communication contain broad, unsupported, self‐serving statements that appear aimed not at consumer protection but at stifling fair competition by creating confusion in the marketplace. Eminence is taking steps to have our name removed from the complaint, and is considering legal action to vindicate our rights and reputation. Naturally Yours,
I hope the truth about their advertising about being manufactured in Hungary or not...will come out. Also if they indeed have ingredients not listed on labeling...
I think that many have taken advantage of the word "organic" not really realizing what it truly means. If anything this will shake up the industry and from this point on, "organic" will be defined and we will understand what it means. I as a spa owner and as a consumer do not think this claim stifles competition and if the above companies are truly organic, there really is not a problem is there?
The Demeter Association Inc. would like to make the following clarifications concerning its relationship with Eminence Organic Skin Care.
Demeter is an international organization that was formed in Europe in 1928 to promote Biodynamic® farming. A certification system, defined by rigorous farming and processing standards, was developed. Today, an international standard for the farming and processing of Demeter products exists worldwide and is implemented through a network of individual certification organizations in 45 countries around the world.
In the United States, both DEMETER® and BIODYNAMIC® are held as registered certification marks by the Demeter Association. Demeter is a not-for-profit and the goal of holding these certification marks is to protect the integrity of Biodynamic agriculture. In order to use the terms BIODYNAMIC, DEMETER, and DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC in reference to a product or farm, the product has to meet the Demeter Processing Standard, and the farm has to meet the Demeter Farm Standard. These standards create a base marketplace definition for the benefit of consumers and producers.
Eminence Organic Skin Care is currently certified as a Trader of Demeter certified product in the USA. Eminence is approved to import Cosmetic/ Body Care Products into the USA that are certified by Demeter International to the Demeter Processing Standards and label them with the DEMETER / BIODYNAMIC certification marks. Eminence’s current Trader certification applies to nine products certified to the third labeling tier of the Cosmetic and Body Care Standard that allows use of the BIODYNAMIC certification mark in the ingredient statement only as noted in section 10.3.2.3 of the Demeter Cosmetic and Body Care Standard.
10.3.2.3 Use of the words DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC is permitted in the ingredients list only when:
The label “Demeter Certified Biodynamic” is used only in conjunction with the Demeter Certified Biodynamic ingredient(s), and
The product meets an “organic” or “natural” standard approved by Demeter Association (e.g. BDIH, BIOKONTROLL Hungary, Cosmos, Ecocert, NaTrue, NSF etc) concerning all processes, additives and ingredients, and be labeled as such, or
The product meets this standard with the exception of one or more ingredients of non- agricultural origin permitted in a “natural” standard mentioned above, and
Font style and size for use of the Demeter Certified Biodynamic is the same as the text used on the information panel, i.e. lower case, bold and in italics.
The DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC trademark logos cannot be used anywhere on the product label. Marketing and labeling must not mislead the consumer into thinking the product qualifies as DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC.
The other two Demeter Cosmetic/ Body Care labeling categories, under which the 9 Eminence products currently do not qualify for, include:
10.3.2.1 DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC product (i.e. Demeter Certified Biodynamic Skin Cream)
In order to use the Demeter Certified Biodynamic labeling category the following conditions must be met:
These Demeter Processing standards are met
The ingredient included in the name is DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality
At least 90% of all ingredients are of agricultural origin and are DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality.
The remaining ingredients of agricultural origin may be certified organic if documented unavailable in DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality, and
Any remaining ingredients of non-agricultural origin must be listed in Section 6.
The Demeter logo may be used on the primary display panel, conforming to the requirements detailed in the Demeter Association Labeling Standards.
10.3.2.2 Made With DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC Ingredient Product (i.e. Skin Cream, Made With Biodynamic Ingredients)
In order to use the Made with Demeter Certified Biodynamic Ingredient Product labeling category the following conditions must be met:
These Demeter Processing standards are met. The ingredients included in the name are DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC
At least 70% of the ingredients of agricultural origin are DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC quality
The remaining ingredients of agricultural origin are certified organic, or are non agricultural ingredients from the list in Section 6
The Demeter logo cannot be used on the primary display panel but may be used on the side panel.
Demeter is not a USDA National Organic Program (NOP) accredited certifier. The Demeter Processing Standards are a compilation of product specific standards. There are eighteen in all, and in addition to the Cosmetic and Body Care Products Standard, others include Fruit and Vegetable Products, Nut Seed and Kernel Products, Bread, Cake and Pastry Products, Herbs and Spices, Meat and Meat Products, Milk and Milk Products, Oils and Fats, Sweetening Agents, Textile and Fiber Products and Wine.
Should anyone wish to review the Farm or Processing Standards they are welcome to request them from the Demeter office.
Sincerely,
Jim Fullmer/ Demeter Association Inc.
541-929-7148 jim@demeter-usa.org
