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electronic mail. The guides apply to any claim about the environmental attributes of a
product, package, or service in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or marketing of
such product, package or service for personal, family or household use, or for commercial,
institutional, or industrial use.
In 2012, an update by the FTC modified the existing guide sections on general environmental
benefit, compostable, degradable, ozone, recyclable, and recycled content claims. It also added
new sections on carbon offsets, certifications and seals of approval, free-of claims, non-toxic
claims, made with renewable energy claims, and made with renewable materials claims.
For more detailed information, see FTC’s:
Environmental Claims: Summary of the Green Guides
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Organic Fibers: Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA)
Title 7, United States Code, Chapter 94, Organic Certification, Sections 6501-6523
The USDA regulates the term organic as it applies to agricultural products through the National
Organic Program (NOP) Regulation, 7 CFR Part 205. Raw natural fibers, such as cotton, wool,
and flax are agricultural products and are covered under the NOP crop and livestock production
standards. Any textile product produced in full compliance with the NOP regulations, including
being certified by an approved third party, may be labeled as NOP certified organic and display
the USDA organic seal. Products produced in accordance with the Global Organic Textile
Standard (GOTS) may be sold as organic in the U.S. but may not refer to NOP certification or
display the USDA organic seal.
For more detailed information, see USDA’s:
Policy Memorandum - Labeling of Textiles That Contain Organic Ingredients and
National Organic Program Handbook
The Lacey Act
Title 16, United States Code, Chapter 53, Control of Illegally Taken Fish and Wildlife
(sections 3371-3378)
Amendments:
Food, Conservation & Energy Act of 2008, Public Law No: 110-234, Section 8204,
Preventing illegal logging practices
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110–246, Sec. 8204. Prevention
of illegal logging practices
The Lacey Act was enacted to prevent trade in illegally harvested lumber and prevent trade in
wood products made from illegally harvested lumber. It is unlawful to import certain plants and