All OTA members must sign a Code of Ethics agreement when applying for membership. If there are legal or other restrictions that prohibit an OTA Associate Member (non-voting) from signing the form, a signed statement declaring your agreement with OTA’s Core Values and the intentions expressed by the Code of Ethics, and the constraints imposed on you must be sent with your membership application. The OTA Code of Ethics is a statement of the common values of this Association. Its purpose is to guide us in the decisions we make as businesses and individuals and to assist us with our responsibilities to the principles of organic agriculture and ethical business practices.
As members of the Organic Trade Association, we have responsibility to our industry, customers, people and the Association. We strive to:
- Maintain the highest standards of business conduct by using only legal and ethical means in all business activity.
- Actively promote and encourage the highest level of integrity within the organic industry.
- Cooperate in every reasonable and proper way with other Association members and work with them in the advancement of the organic agriculture and the organic industry.
- Be fair and respectful to employer(s), employees, associates, competitors, customers, the public, and all business or professional relationships.
- Adhere to honesty in advertising and in all representations to the public concerning organic agriculture and products.
- Support the establishment of an entire production, processing and distribution chain which is both socially just and ecologically responsible.
- Commit to the development and use of the highest standards and practices for organic production, processing and handling, using OTA’s American Organic Standards as a guidance document.
- Adhere to all parts of the statement that OTA does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin or ancestry, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation or military status. Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information can receive reasonable accomodations.
- Observe all state and federal laws and international regulations pertaining to organic production, processing and handling.
- Represent OTA, its positions, policies and members without rancor. Support the Association, and the industry, by participation and contributing to effective change.
- We are in agreement with OTA’s Core Values and declare that we will make every effort to uphold this Code of Ethics.
Revised October 2010