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	USDA Organic United States · Tier 1 Gold	COSMOS-Organic / Natural European Union · Tier 2 Trusted	Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) United States · Tier 2 Trusted	Canada Organic Biologique Canada · Tier 1 Gold
What it means	The US Department of Agriculture's national organic standard. The green-and-white seal is the legal mark for any food sold as 'organic' in the United States.	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).	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 federal Canadian organic standard, mandatory on any agricultural product sold across provincial borders or imported as 'organic'.
Scope	Food	Cosmetics	Several categories	Food
Established	2002	2010	2018	2009
Inspection	Annual on-site by USDA-accredited certifier	Annual on-site by COSMOS-accredited certifier	Annual on-site by ROA-accredited certifier	Annual on-site by CFIA-accredited certifier
Residue testing	Required on ≥5% of operations annually	Risk-based	Per USDA NOP	Risk-based, conducted by accredited certifiers
Guarantees	At least 95% of ingredients are certified organic (the '100% Organic' variant requires every ingredient). No synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, no GMOs, no sewage sludge, no irradiation. Annual on-site inspection by a USDA-accredited certifier. Residue testing on at least 5% of certified operations each year.	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.	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.	≥95% organic ingredients (single-ingredient products: 100%). No synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, no irradiation. Annual third-party certification under the Canada Organic Regime.
Does NOT	Doesn't certify nutrition, taste, or animal welfare specifically (separate marks like AWA cover welfare). Doesn't guarantee local production — a 'USDA Organic' product can be grown anywhere with an accredited inspector.	Doesn't certify clinical effectiveness or skin tolerance.	Newer label (2018+) — supply still limited, mostly US brands.	Provincial sales-only operations are not legally required to carry it (though many do voluntarily).

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