While searching for essential oils on the internet you may come across some companies claiming to be approved by the ISO or to comply with guidelines established by AFNOR or to be GRAS approved and even companies  to have Certified Pure therapeutic grade /  FDA approved.  What does this mean and how does Spark Naturals fit in or what is our standard. 

Here are the terms:

ISO (international organization for Standardization. An organization that publishes international standards for everything from food safety, medical devices, social responsibility, risk management. Guidelines not laws. 

AFNOR  french national organization for standardization (similar to ISO)

GRAS - FDA term for "Generally Recognized As Safe"

FDA Approved - FDA does not "approve" health care facilities, laboratories, or manufacturers. FDA does inspect product manufacturers to verify that they comply with good manufacturing practices. FDA approves drugs and pharmaceutical items. Essential oils usually fall underneath and are marketed as "supplements"

Supplements : Dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors are not required to obtain approval from FDA before marketing dietary supplements. Before a firm markets a dietary supplement, the firm is responsible for ensuring that the products it manufactures or distributes are safe. Any claims made about the products are not false or misleading, the products comply with federal food, drug and cosmetic act and fda regulations in all other respects.