QAI provides organic certification for personal care products such as cosmetics, rinse-off and leave-on personal care products, and personal hygiene products. We can certify personal care products to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and to NSF/ANSI 305: Personal Care Products Containing Organic Ingredients. Products that contain at least 70 percent certified organic ingredients, but which do not meet the NOP food-focused requirements due to cosmetic industry chemical processes and production methods, can be certified to NSF/ANSI 305. NSF/ANSI 305 certification is considered a best practice by the Organic Trade Association.

NSF/ANSI 305 has the same structure, style and intent as the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP), yet allows certified organic ingredients to be processed using certain methods and preservatives that may not be allowed in organic or “made with organic” products under the NOP. These green chemistry processes and preservatives enable manufacturers to greatly increase the product’s efficacy and expand their line of personal care products containing organic ingredients. It also allows products containing non-food-grade organic ingredients to be certified.

Products certified to NSF/ANSI 305 can bear the NSF “contains organic ingredients” mark as well a “Certified by QAI” statement.

To help your products comply with the NSF/ANSI 305 standard, QAI offers both full formulation and single ingredient reviews. You will receive a letter of acceptance for all ingredients that are confirmed as compliant.