CERTIFICATION

Why is certification important? Green Nature Marketing feels it is extremely important when representing a green line that manufacturers we partner with have the proper green credentials relevant to their product category.

There are numerous green certification agencies in the marketplace with different criteria and objectives. Green Nature Marketing favors and supports those that deem to be more widely accepted and applicable.

Green Nature Marketing is proud to represent products that bear the certifications listed below. We feel the following agencies (both governmental and private sector) and the most valid and applicable for our industry.

USDA Organic

The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products. The NOP also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards.

www.usda.gov

Fair Trade Certified

Fairtrade certification is a product certification system designed to allow people to identify products that meet agreed environmental, labor and developmental standards. The certification is overseen by a standard-setting body, Fairtrade International (FLO), and a certification body, FLO-CERT. The system involves independent auditing of producers to ensure the agreed standards are met.

www.fairtradeusa.org

Gluten Free

A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes foods containing the protein gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye and malts. A gluten-free diet is used as a treatment for celiac disease. The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) is a program of The Gluten Intolerance Group®, also known as GIG®, and is a 501(c3) non-profit organization. Green Nature Marketing is proud to offer a variety of gluten-free certified foods.

www.gfco.org

Vegan Certified

The Logo is a registered trademark, similar in nature to the "kosher" mark, for products that do not contain animal products and that have not been tested on animals. The Logo is easily visible to consumers interested in vegan products and helps vegans to shop without constantly consulting ingredient lists; it helps companies recognize a growing vegan market; and it helps bring the word "vegan" – and the lifestyle it represents – into the mainstream.

www.vegan.org

Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)

The Biodegradable Products Institute is a multi-stakeholder association of key individuals and groups from government, industry and academia, which promotes the use, and recycling of biodegradable polymeric materials (via composting). The BPI is open to any materials and products that demonstrate that they meet the requirements in ASTM D 6400 or D6868, based on testing in a approved laboratory.

www.bpiworld.org

USDA Biobased Product Certification

The USDA Certified Biobased Product label assures the consumer that a product or package contains a verified amount of renewable biological ingredients. A product must meet or exceed the minimum biobased content percentage in its given category in order to use the Certified Biobased Product label. Biobased products are goods composed in whole or in significant part of agricultural, forestry, or marine materials.

www.biopreferred.gov