COSMOS Certification: A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability in Cosmetics
Cosmetics and personal care play an important role in our daily lives and, as conscious consumers, we are increasingly looking for products that align with our values – natural, sustainable and environmentally friendly – and demanding more sustainable options.
COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard) addresses these concerns by ensuring the quality, integrity and safety of cosmetic products.
The COSMOS label is a consumer guarantee of:
- Environmentally friendly production and processing.
- Respect for human health.
- Responsible use of natural resources.
- Preservation of biodiversity.
- Absence of petrochemical ingredients (except for authorised preservatives).
- Recyclable packaging.
COSMOS Certification is a collaboration between five leading European certification bodies: Ecocert, Cosmebio, BDIH, Soil Association and ICEA. This certification acts as an international standard for natural and organic cosmetics, promoting the use of organically grown ingredients, respect for biodiversity and the use of environmentally friendly production and manufacturing processes.
The COSMOS standard defines the criteria that companies must meet in order to assure consumers that their products are genuine organic or natural cosmetics, produced with the highest possible sustainability practices.
Criteria for COSMOS Certification
Ingredients:
- A minimum percentage of organic and natural ingredients must be used in product formulations.
- Synthetic ingredients are either limited or banned altogether.
Manufacturing processes:
- Minimise energy consumption, waste and emissions during
- Prioritise the use of renewable resources whenever possible.
Packaging and labelling:
- Packaging materials should be consistent with sustainability goals.
- Clear labelling informs consumers about the organic and natural content of the product.
The use of non-compliant detergents in the manufacturing process can affect a COSMOS certified product in a number of ways:
Ingredient compliance:
- COSMOS certification requires compliance with specific ingredient standards. Non-compliant detergents may contain synthetic or harmful substances that violate these standards.
- If used, they could compromise the organic or natural integrity of the product.
Environmental impact:
- COSMOS is committed to environmentally friendly practices. Non-compliant detergents may harm the environment during production or disposal.
- Contaminated effluents or residues could affect ecosystems.
Withdrawal of certification:
- COSMOS regularly audits manufacturers. Non-compliance can lead to withdrawal of certification.
Loss of certification affects consumer confidence and the ability of manufacturers to sell their products.
Manufacturers must, therefore, ensure that all processes comply with COSMOS guidelines to maintain certification.
COSMOS certification is more than just a label; it’s a commitment to quality, sustainability and consumer well-being. By embracing COSMOS, cosmetics manufacturers are ensuring that our industry develops in a responsible way that benefits both people and the planet.
Our qualified team of experts is ready to work with you to provide a tailored solution in cleaning and disinfection that optimises your manufacturing process.
For more information: COSMOS | Natural and Organic Certification For Cosmetics (cosmos-standard.org)
