Certification

• Healthy organic land produces high quality nutritious products.
• Organic products are healthy for you and for the environment.
• Every time you purchase an organic product you are helping to protect the health of our children, animals, farmers, the soil of the planet, the environment, and the purity of our water supply.

What is organic?
Organic is a growing and processing method that helps protect the health of people, plants, animals, and the environment. Organic products are either fresh or processed plant materials (fruits, vegetables, herbs, grains, seeds, etc.) or animals that have been grown naturally, without the use of harmful hormones, antibiotics, steroids, chemical fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides. Organic farmers follow a holistic system that replenishes the nutrients and maintains the health of the soil. They use renewable resources and conserve soil and water in an effort to sustain the environment for future generations.

What is certified organic?
Before a product can be labeled as certified organic, an approved third party organization, such as Quality Assurance International (QAI), must approve the growing, handling, processing, labeling, transportation, and storage of the product to ensure that it complies with all organic regulations.

Certified organic growers and manufacturers are annually inspected and audited in order to maintain their certifications. Detailed records must be kept regarding the methods and materials used in the growing and producing of the product, including the management practices. Certification ensures the products are handled in ways that protect their integrity.

Irradiation is never used and no GMO ingredients are added in the processing of certified organic products.

What is the difference between organic and certified organic?
Organic products may not be regulated, and facilities that produce organic foods may never have been inspected to verify their organic claims. Consumers who buy certified organic products have the confidence that their products have been inspected and approved by an independent third party certifier.

It is crucial that growers and manufacturers of certified organic products work closely together with high ranked certifiers and agricultural institutions.

Quality Assurance International (QAI)
QAI was founded in 1989, and is a worldwide operating institution. The headquarters are located in San Diego, California. QAI maintains other operations in Japan and Latin America.

QAI's certification programs ensure that grower's and manufacturer's products meet the regulatory standards applicable to their specific needs.

QAI's major goal is to provide continuous assurance at every link in the organic production chain, to verify the organic integrity of each product destined to enter into market distribution. QAI is committed to the ongoing education of the organic community as well as consumers.

National Organic Program (NOP)
NOP is the United States organic standard as laid out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). All organic products manufactured or sold within the U.S. must comply with this regulation.

Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS)
The Japanese Agricultural Standard regulates all agricultural products, but was extended to organic production and processing in 2000. This standard is enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). All agricultural products in Japan can be certified to the organic standard, except apiary products, aquatic products, drugs and alcohol. Certified organic products may also use the JAS logo. There is no "made with organic" category in Japan. All products must be at least 95% organic.

European Union Organic Standard EC 834/2007 (EU)
The European Union was the first market to have governmental legislation on organic production. The regulation is the legal basis for production, processing and trade of organic products in 25 countries of the European Union. Only products certified according to this regulation can be labeled as "organic".

ISO 9001:2000 Company Registration
In February 1999, Naturally Nova Scotia became the first herbal manufacturer in North America to receive ISO 9001:2000 certification.

This certification specifies requirements for a quality management system, which meets customer requirements and enhances customer satisfaction. ISO 9001:2000 is based on a systematic, process approach and strives to control and improve organizational results.

GMP Compliance
In May of 1999 Naturally Nova Scotia received Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance rating from Health Canada. GMP is our assurance that our products have been made using the best manufacturing processes available.

All of our certifications are renewed on an annual basis.