Smith & Vandiver Earns OASIS Certification

“Green” is the buzz word of the moment, but over 72 million* eco-friendly consumers are hoping it’s a trend that’s here to stay and their numbers are growing. However, fulfilling the dream of green is a whole different issue for manufacturers and formulators of personal care products. One company in Watsonville, California, Smith & Vandiver, has been “going green” for over 29 years and they’re setting an important example for others.

“There is a great deal of confusion among the general population of what ‘green’ really means,” explains company founder, Alida Stevens. “But, now there are industry groups such as OASIS, the Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards, that are setting standards and review processes, and if a company wants to make ‘green’ claims, now it will have to live up to what it promises.”

“Health” and “sustainability” are the key words for consumers who are vested in the concept of “green.” These consumers’ dominant concerns are for the wellness of the body, and future health of our planet. This market is estimated at $290 *billion dollars and growing, affecting purchases of everything from skin creams to automobiles. And, while these consumers are concerned about the products they are buying, they are also vitally concerned about the companies producing them.

“Companies have to live up to the impressions of themselves that they strive to create among their target consumers. And, there’s a word now that defines these consumers – LOHAS – which stands for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability,” said Ms. Stevens. “They expect that the companies with whom they spend their money are conducting themselves as good corporate citizens within both their local and global communities, and that they develop and follow sustainable manufacturing practices for products that are safe for the end user and planet earth.

Smith & Vandiver is proud to be the first company whose manufacturing facility and New Leaf Organics product line is certified under the OASIS program. Products bearing the OASIS seal means they are certified to be either 100% organic or made with at least 85% organic ingredients. There is a very short list of additional ingredients and/or green chemistry processes that may be used to comprise the non-organic content. With a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, up to three of these ingredients may be listed on the front panel. No mention of organic is acceptable on the front panel of any product with less than 70% organic content under either NOP (National Organic Program) or the OASIS standard.

“OASIS is comprised of cosmetic industry professionals in the cosmetics industry,” explained Ms. Stevens. “They decide on the regulations and guidelines that bring a product to market. Under this program,” she clarifies, “there’s no fuzzy math with which to make untruthful or inexact claims.” This seal simplifies purchases for the consumer and forces compliance in an industry that generally has no oversight.”

Jeffrey Slaboden, Smith & Vandiver’s President, sees the company as
“Envisionmental” or being visionary in the field of environmental excellence. “The footprint we leave behind,” he says, “matters deeply to us.” Smith & Vandiver proudly states that their products and packages use high content post consumer recycled materials that are still 100% recyclable. Great thought is put into label materials from bamboo fiber and recycled box material made without chlorine. The company recycles over 250,000 pounds of corrugate annually. The manufacturing and office facilities are designed to conserve water and energy using recirculating systems, skylights and eco-friendly light fixtures.

“We strive to use the best environmental and sustainable practices throughout all aspects of our operations and products,” says Mr. Slaboden “This is not a huge stretch for us,” they both concur. “Thinking along these lines has guided us throughout the more than two and a half decades that we’ve been in business. It just came naturally.”

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SMITH & VANDIVER
CORPORATE BIOGRAPHY

Smith & Vandiver is located in Watsonville, California. The company creates skin and bath solutions for healthy lifestyle needs. The products contain the finest ingredients combined with envisionmental technologies. Smith & Vandiver products are made in one of the most sustainable, eco-friendly manufacturing environments in the United States.

The company prides itself, and demands of itself, a constant awareness of their corporate actions. They are sustainability-minded, with a 29 year tradition of natural quality. The company:

• Produces safe, health and wellness beauty products

• Utilizes innovative “green” chemistry

• Does not test on animals or use animal by products

• Does not use  genetically modifiedingredients

• Does not use parabens or phalates in their products

• Operates manufacturing facilities that are FDA, USDA-NOP and OASIS   certified

• Employs an experienced product research and development team

• Maintains close relationships with their customers

The company has three major brands, each with their own brand promise. Skin Nutrition with Phytomins is a beauty brand with a focus on natural, skin nourishing ingredients, Aromatherapaes blends aromatherapy with all natural ingredients for a complete bath, body and spa experience, and New Leaf Organics, with the greenest approach, is certified organic.

The company is dedicated to the principles that define their target demographic – health and wellness for the body and the planet we inhabit.

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CONTACT: Alida Stevens
Smith & Vandiver
831.722.9526
Alida@S-Vcorp.com