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'Natural' (NOT a certification)
Worldwide · Tier 4 Marketing
Rainforest Alliance logo
Rainforest Alliance
Global · Tier 3 Specialty
China Organic (COFCC) logo
China Organic (COFCC)
China · Tier 1 Gold
What it meansThe word 'natural' on packaging is a marketing term, not a certification. In most jurisdictions there's no legal definition, no standard, and no inspection. A product labelled 'natural' can contain synthetic ingredients, pesticides, GMOs, and artificial flavours.Sustainable-agriculture certification (post-2020 merged standard with UTZ). Covers environmental, social, and economic criteria. NOT an organic mark.China's national organic certification under the Certification and Accreditation Administration. Mandatory on any product sold as '有机' (organic) in mainland China.
ScopeSeveral categoriesFoodFood
Established—19872005
InspectionNoneAnnual third-party audit (RA-accredited)Annual on-site by CNCA-accredited certifier
Residue testingNoneRisk-basedRequired
Guarantees
  • Nothing. It is not a certification and there is no body verifying anything.
  • Reduced (not eliminated) synthetic pesticide use, with bans on the most hazardous classes.
  • Forest conservation requirements (no deforestation after the cut-off date).
  • Worker welfare and community development requirements.
  • Annual third-party audit.
  • ≥95% organic ingredients.
  • No synthetic pesticides, no GMOs.
  • Annual third-party certification.
  • Each certified product carries a unique 17-digit traceability code.
Does NOT
  • Doesn't mean organic. Doesn't mean pesticide-free. Doesn't mean GMO-free. Doesn't mean ethically produced.
  • Some markets (e.g. the US FDA on food, EU on cosmetics) place very limited restrictions on the word, but enforcement is weak.
  • Allows synthetic pesticides — does NOT meet any organic standard. Often confused with organic but it's a different programme.
  • Imported organic foods must be re-certified under the Chinese standard — overseas certifications alone are not accepted for the 有机 label.

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