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	IFM IFOAM — Organics International Global · Tier 2 Trusted	Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) United States · Tier 2 Trusted	COSMOS-Organic / Natural European Union · Tier 2 Trusted	Bio Suisse 'Knospe' (Bud) Switzerland · Tier 2 Trusted
What it means	The international umbrella body for the organic movement. Not a product label — IFOAM accredits other certifiers worldwide via the IFOAM Family of Standards. If a cert is 'IFOAM-accredited' it has been benchmarked to a globally consistent baseline.	A 'beyond organic' standard developed by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (Patagonia, Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner's, others). Built on top of USDA Organic; adds soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness pillars.	The leading certification for organic cosmetics in Europe. Two grades: COSMOS Organic (≥95% organic agricultural ingredients) and COSMOS Natural (no organic minimum, but the same restricted-ingredient list).	The Swiss organic farmers' federation mark. The Knospe (Bud) is the dominant organic mark in Swiss supermarkets and operates to standards stricter than the Swiss federal organic ordinance.
Scope	Several categories	Several categories	Cosmetics	Food
Established	1972	2018	2010	1981
Inspection	Periodic review of accredited certifier bodies	Annual on-site by ROA-accredited certifier	Annual on-site by COSMOS-accredited certifier	Annual on-site, bio.inspecta accredited
Residue testing	Delegated to accredited certifiers	Per USDA NOP	Risk-based	Required
Guarantees	Accredited certifiers meet the IFOAM Norms and the IFOAM Family of Standards. Independent peer review of certifier governance, inspection rigor, and conflict-of-interest controls.	USDA Organic baseline (or equivalent) is a prerequisite. Soil health: cover cropping, no-till or reduced-till, conservation crop rotation, compost. Animal welfare: pasture-based, Five Freedoms, prohibits factory-farm conditions. Social fairness: living wage, freedom of association, safe workplace, no forced or child labour. Three tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold based on adoption depth.	COSMOS Organic: ≥95% organic agricultural ingredients. COSMOS Natural: minimum natural-origin ingredients with banned synthetic restrictions. No GMOs, no parabens, no PEGs, no synthetic fragrances, no SLS/SLES. Biodegradability requirements. Annual on-site audit.	Whole-farm conversion. Lower nitrogen inputs than the Swiss federal organic baseline. Strong animal welfare requirements. Annual on-site inspection.
Does NOT	Does NOT certify products directly — only certifiers. Look for the underlying national / private mark on the package.	Newer label (2018+) — supply still limited, mostly US brands.	Doesn't certify clinical effectiveness or skin tolerance.	Switzerland is outside the EU — the Knospe is recognised by the EU under the Switzerland-EU equivalence agreement, but not by USDA without further certification.

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Compare certifications · Organic.is