8. Social Responsibility

8.1 Operators shall have a policy on social responsibility.

Operators who hire fewer than ten (10) persons for labour and those who operate under a state system that enforces social laws may not be required to have such a policy.

8.2 In cases where production is based on violation of basic human rights and clear cases of social injustice, that product cannot be declared as organic.

8.3 Operators shall not use forced or involuntary labour.

8.4 Employees and contractors of organic operations have the freedom to associate, the right to organise and the right to bargain collectively.

8.5 Operators shall provide their employees and contractors with equal opportunity and treatment, and shall not act in a discriminatory way.

8.6 Operators shall not hire child labour.

Children are allowed to experience work on their family’s farm or a neighbouring farm provided that:
a. such work is not dangerous or hazardous to their health and safety;
b. it does not jeopardize the children’s educational, moral, social, and physical development;
c. children are supervised by adults or have authorisation from a legal guardian.