The Organic Trade Association (OTA) sponsored the development of the American Organic Standards (AOS), a compilation and codification of voluntary industry standards. OTA also sponsored task forces in developing standards for emerging sectors and products such as fiber processing and personal care products, and will continue to do so. Staff receive comments and the results were considered both by staff and by OTA members selected for their breadth of experience and opinion. The final proposal then proceeds to the OTA Board of Directors for final approval.
Fiber processing
Statement of the OTA Board, January 17, 2007:
Be It Resolved:The Organic Trade Association Board of Directors is pleased by the completion of the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and OTA’s participation in that process. Recognizing that during that process OTA agreed that upon completion OTA would recognize the GOTS as a global standard for organic textile certification, now OTA does so formally. In doing so, OTA recognizes that the American Organic Fiber Processing Standards (AOFPS) remain as policy guidance for OTA members and others in the organic community of the United States and Canada. Because in many cases the AOFPS is more detailed and the GOTS does not contradict its standards, it will remain available as guidance in the implementation of the GOTS.
See the GOTS web page at http://www.global-standard.org/.
OTA members may find further information at:
http://www.ota.com/m/communities/taskforces/gots.html
PLEASE NOTE: All fiber sold as organic in the US must meet the USDA National Organic Program rule for crop production, and if necessary, livestock production.
Personal Care
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has agreed to collaborate with NSF International on efforts to develop an organic personal care standard that could ultimately receive recognition on the national level. {Click here to read the full press release}
NSF's standards development procedure allows full and open due process, including opportunities for comments and consensus building, by all interested parties. OTA's role in the process is to bring organic industry expertise, particularly that developed through 2006 by the former Personal Care Organic Standards Task Force, to the Joint Committee NSF has formed to deliberate on, develop, and recommend such a standard.
OTA expects NSF to publish a draft standard for public comment in 2007.
Background on NSF Standards Process:
Standards_Update.pdf
NSF Standards Process
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