Our mission reads ‘……in line with the highest standards of Fair Trade and Environmental Sustainability’. Having set ourselves that challenge, we constantly strive to meet it through a combination of strict internal procedures and external verification.

Part of our marula oil production has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2007. Working with wild harvested kernels from 2,600 rural women, we encourage them to undertake the training and follow the procedures necessary to ensure that their kernels are certified organic. Part of that incentive is the payment of a 12% premium on the price of certified organic kernels. The percentage of certified organic suppliers increases each year.

Swazi Indigenous Products is a full member of WFTO – the World Fair Trade Organisation. We are also members of SWIFT – Swaziland Fair Trade Network and COFTA – Co-operation for Fair Trade in Africa. Membership of WFTO covers Swazi Indigenous Products as a whole. WFTO is currently developing its Sustainable Fair Trade Management System (SFTMS) for certification of products. We intend to apply for SFTMS certification when available, which will then enable us to carry the WFTO fair trade logo on Swazi Secrets packaging.

Products in the Swazi Secrets export range have all undergone safety assessment within the EU as part of the requirements of meeting the EU Cosmetics directive. Accordingly all these products have a PI (Product Information) dossier available for inspection by the relevant European authorities.

SIP holds Approved Candidate Status with the Union of Ethical Biotrade (UEBT) and will shortly be undertaking a Verification Audit as the next step in progressing towards full membership of UEBT.

Producing hand made, natural products while maintaining consistently high standards of hygiene and safety inevitably presents a number of challenges.

In order to meet these, all suppliers receive initial training in SIP quality control standards and all kernels are inspected at purchase. Kernels are graded at purchase and only those that fully comply (Grade A) receive full payment. Kernels that are slightly sub standard are bought at a lower price (Grade B) and used only in the manufacture of soap. The chief purpose of the grading scheme is to ensure that suppliers consistently produce Grade A and over 98% of kernels supplied, make that grade.

We make a buying trip to each community each month and press kernels within 10 days of purchase to ensure the freshness of kernels, which in turn helps to ensure that we always produce high quality oil.

All oil produced is tested in SIP’s in house laboratory from Acid Value (AV) – a test for rancidity which essentially measures the quality and freshness of the oil. Only marula oil with an AV below 4.0 is bottled for Swazi Secrets.

Periodic checks are made with external laboratories to ensure the continued absence of any trace of salmonella, e-coli, yeasts, moulds and pesticides.