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Organic versus Non-Organic............a complicated issue.
We purchase the majority of our Essential Oils from three primary firms/importers, and then a few directly from US farms/growers/distillers. Many of the oils are classified by them as being organic. However, sources/growers for many Essential Oils changes seasonally, in both country of origin and price.
In the Aromatherapy industry it is very difficult to ensure that the "organic" classification standards are met by each grower and supplier in the numerous countries where they are grown. Most Essential Oils are seasonal, meaning they will come from different 'batches', and from many different growers around the world, and only a small percentage of Essential Oils are actually grown here in the United States. Some companies may provide false claims (knowingly or unknowingly – we reiterate here: some unknowingly) about Organic status, and it is virtually impossible for you, the end-user/customer to know (unless you have a lab in your basement). Also, keeping in mind that most Essential Oils are grown in different countries, surely it is possible for a grower, realizing his harvest is more valuable if he calls it organic, to falsely claim organic to boost their price/profits and enrich themselves. And perhaps that unscrupulous grower’s farm operation has indeed been certified organic, but his neighbors farm has not, and neighbor asks to put his Essential Oils on the world market with his neighbor’s certification for a share of the higher profits. Or the actual sample of the oil that may be tested is not a true representation of the actual batch to be put on the world market. - Just some of the many possibilities to demonstrate the difficulty of worldwide compliance, conformity, and enforcement. There are just too many holes in system. Some Aromatherapy stores may think they are being honest by saying organic, but surely they are not traveling to each growing field around the world looking to see if the grower/cultivator used a fertilizer, bug spray (or whatever). It is a worldwide market and some Essential Oils are grown in ‘Third World’ countries where Organic standards and classification may also be different, and with all due respect, their ethical standards may also be different.
For these reasons above, we will have made the decision not advertise or promote our oils as organic, but we do estimate that approximately half of them are indeed organic.
We absolutely are NOT criticizing companies that promote and sell Organic, we truly say ‘Good for Them’, and commend their efforts and dedication. We just are not comfortable doing so, especially when they come from many different growers, in different countries, and then there are seasonal 'batches'.
Most believe that if a company advertises organic, they should back it up with documentation for each and every oil for which that Organic claim is made, that they should have those certifications available on their website for download, or at least mailed out upon request. That is a very reasonable request for a customer, if they are paying more for Organic, then the seller/store should have that documentation available. And also to keep those records up to date with the changing origins and batches with the seasons.....that’s a lot of work!
There are some International Organizations that have established standards for the world market, and hopefully will enhance and improve product quality on the world market. We compliment them on their efforts. If things improve and some changes are made towards better verification and compliance, we will revisit our current policy on advertising Organic in the future.
We offer the highest quality pure Aromatherapy grade Essential Oils, and we do it without any false claims to earn your business. We created this page to explain our position and policy with the term “Organic” and hope we’ve addressed our position and the issue well. We earn your first order and repeat orders with honesty, high quality oils, low prices, and good customer service & relations. |
