Natural and Organic Certifications

Cosmetic companies with a certified label from approved organisations show that their products meet specific requirements set out by that certifying body. There are many of these organisations worldwide that all look for similar standards to ensure the products you are buying are safe to use. Depending on which country the product is made, will generally depend on which certificate the company has been given. A product that is certified by one of the organisations below means that it can be trusted as a safe, natural and certified organic product.

Below is a breakdown of each organisations strict criterion that companies have to meet in order for the certification to be approved.

Ecocert

One of the most trusted international certifications for organic products.

Founded in France in 1951, it is an independent organization that performs quality control and reliability for products in the organic market, including food, textiles and cosmetics. Ecocert certifications are given to companies that show high levels of respect to the environment and the customer.

Ecocert certifies companies that can prove their products are environmentally friendly by ensuring: 

• All ingredients are formulated from renewable resources and produced using environmentally friendly processes.
• There is no genetically modified organisms (GMO), parabens, nanoparticles, silicon, PEG, synthetic perfumes and dyes, phenoxyethanol, animal-derived ingredients (unless naturally produced by them, e.g. milk and honey)
• Products are biodegradable and recyclable.
• There is a minimum amount of natural ingredients in the product obtained from organic farming.

Ecocert can provide 2 labels for cosmetics. A ‘natural and organic cosmetic label’ and a ‘natural cosmetic label’. For both labels, a minimum of 95% of all ingredients must come from natural origin.

Natural and Organic Cosmetic Label: A minimum of 95% of all plant based ingredients and a minimum of 10% of all ingredients in the formula must come from organic farming.

Natural Cosmetics Label: A minimum of 50% of all plant based ingredients and a minimum of 5% of all ingredients in the formula must come from organic formula.

Soil Association

Being the UK’s largest organic certification body, this logo for organic products is the most recognized in the UK. It guarantees the product you are using is of the highest standard of sustainability and quality.

The standards that health and beauty products have to meet in order to be certified by the Soil Association are:

• The manufacturing facility for products is inspected annually, and an audit is carried out on the organic ingredients used.
• The product formula and labeling has been approved and is clearly labeled.
• Non-organic ingredients included in the formula are substituted because there is no equivalent organic ingredient available.
• No products used are genetically modified.
• Any ingredients that are not natural are made ecologically.

COSMOS

Standing for Cosmetic Organic Standard, this certification is specifically for cosmetics, and means that the products with this label are safe and effective for use. Its founding organisations include Soil Association, Ecocert, BDIH and COSMEBIO and ICEA, so you will likely find these certifications on the packaging as well. In 2002, these main European organisations agreed to unify their own individual standards, and develop one single list of international standards that met all of their common objectives.

The COSMOS standard main principles are to:

• Promote organic agriculture and respect biodiversity.
• Respect the environment and use natural resources in a responsible way.
• Use respectful ways to manufacture and process the products, to protect human health and the environment.
• Develop sustainable chemistry to minimize the use of hazardous substances.

These standards cover all the processes that the product has to go through to get to market. These include sourcing, manufacturing and marketing. All processes must follow these requirements:

• Any water used in products must comply with hygiene standards.
• Minerals must be of natural origin, but may be modified by chemical reactions, only if they respect the principles of sustainable chemistry.
• No genetically modified organisms, or endangered species are to be used.

COSMOBIO

One of the main associations in France that certify ecologically made products and organic cosmetics. They provide 2 labels, the ECO Label and the BIO Label.

 BIO Label:

• Contains at least 95% natural ingredients, or created from natural sources.
• Contains at least 95% of organic plant ingredients.
• At least 10% of the product is made from organic farming. 

ECO Label:

• Contains at least 95% natural ingredients, or created from natural sources.
• Contains at least 50% of organic plant ingredients.
• At least 5% of the product is made from organic farming.

NATRUE

An association based in Brussels to promote organic and natural cosmetics worldwide. They focus on what is inside the product, and the processes that product has to go through to get to market.

In order to use the NATRUE label, companies must:

• Prove that at least 75% of their products formulations are from natural and organic ingredients.
• Prove that the ingredients have not been chemically modified in any way and are of organic grade.
• Prove the origin of water used in their products is only considered a natural substance and must be derived from a vegetable source.
• Use naturally derived ingredients if the raw material is of organic grade.
• Use at least 70% natural substance in the product and must come from organic farming, to be considered a natural product, and 95% to be considered an organic product.
• Keep packaging to a minimum and be designed for multiple uses.
• Use recyclable packaging materials and renewable raw materials.

BIOGRO

An organization from New Zealand that sets standards for organic certification for food, cosmetics and textiles.

To be certified by them, companies must prove their products:

• Are fit for their purpose.
• Have a minimum of 95% organic ingredients.
• Are not tested on animals, this includes the ingredients, raw materials or finished product.
• Are not harmful to human health and the environment in the manufacturing stages or during use.
• Are labeled accurately to give clear information to the consumer.
• Are created separately from non-organic products in the manufacturing stages of the products production.
• GMO’s must not be used in the ingredients.
• Nanoparticles are prohibited from being used.
• Any fragrance used must not contain synthetic ingredients or be prepared using solvents.

BDIH

A German organization certifying natural and organic food, pharmaceuticals, food supplements and health and beauty products.

Their guidelines are as follows:

• Raw materials used in products must be derived from certified organic raw material.
• It is accepted to use ingredients that are produced by animals, e.g. milk and honey.
• It is prohibited to carry out or commission a third party to carry out animal testing.
• Substances not allowed are synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, silicones and paraffin or other petroleum derived products.
• Preservatives Benzoic acid, Salicylic acid, Sorbic acid, Benzyl alcohol and Dehydroacetic acid may be used if required, as they are natural identical.

Do you specifically look for products with a label from a certified organization? Let us know which organisations label is most important to you!