Understanding COSMOS: the standard for organic and natural cosmetics
Did you know that it's not mandatory to certify organic beauty products? Unlike the food industry, there are no legal guidelines in place about how to use the term ‘organic’ within the beauty sector. For consumers, this means there’s a lot of uncertainty about how to choose formulations that will benefit both people and the planet.
We all know that it can be hard to spot which organisations are ‘greenwashing’ (promoting the environmental and ethical benefits of their products without evidence to back it up). It can be difficult to know which formulations to trust.
At Hera Beauty, we believe in the importance of transparency and having the evidence to back-up claims so that our partners can feel confident about their formulations. It’s about action rather than just words. We take our responsibility to people and the environment seriously and are committed to achieving continuous improvement. Why? Because sustainable and ethical manufacturing is at the heart of who we are.
That’s why we made the decision to become accredited under Investors in the Environment, the not-for-profit certification that helps businesses measure and reduce their environmental impact. In addition to this, we’re delighted to have met the official requirements for the Soil Association’s COSMOS-standard: the acknowledged ‘gold level’ standard for organic beauty formulations.
Beauty is a global industry, but until recently there was no international standard for the certification of organic and natural cosmetic products. To provide more clarity for consumers, the COSMOS-standard was created by an alliance of five of Europe’s leading organic certifiers, including the UK’s Soil Association.
But why is carrying the COSMOS-standard symbol on your packaging important? The demand for ethical beauty products continues to grow, with consumers becoming ever more conscious about the impact of their purchasing decisions. By achieving certification you are gaining access to Europe’s most widely recognised and trusted organic symbol, giving your brand’s range a head start over competitors.
Achieving the certification enables Hera Beauty - as a trusted beauty manufacturer - to substantiate claims and provide consumer clarity. A huge part of what we do is supporting our partners in growing their beauty brands, so we are perfectly placed to offer technical support in achieving certification to help you achieve your goals.
This is important because to carry the COSMOS logo it’s not just the manufacturer who needs to be certified, but also the brand holder, and anyone selling organic ingredients. Therefore, if our customers require their products to display the COSMOS logo, they need to be certified too.
What does the COSMOS certification logo mean?
Firstly, there are two different certifications to be aware of. COSMOS Organic is known as the gold standard for health and beauty. For a product to be labelled ‘organic’, a minimum of 95% of all ingredients within the formulation must be guaranteed as organic.
COSMOS Natural was introduced after industry variations on what the term ‘Natural’ meant led to a proliferation of greenwashing. The certified products do not have to contain any organic ingredients (although many do). COSMOS Natural is most suitable for products such as bath salts or face masks that contain a lot of ingredients that cannot be obtained from organic farming - such as water, salt or clay.
Ultimately the COSMOS certification means working with nature, rather than against it. It’s all about making manufacturing decisions that protect wildlife and biodiversity as a priority rather than as an afterthought. That’s why the logo signifies so much more than just organic ingredients. It also means saying no to:
- Animal testing
- GM ingredients
- Controversial chemicals
- Parabens and phthalates
- Synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances
Instead, it means prioritising:
- Sustainably sourced organic ingredients
- Natural colours and fragrances
- Transparent manufacturing processes
- Biodegradable ingredients
- Minimal packaging with maximum recycled content
The Soil Association’s vision is all about regeneration: a world with good health, in balance with nature, and a safe climate. As part of this, it means prioritising ingredients, products and processes that have a positive impact on the world around us.
Permitted processes
Choosing reputable organic beauty products can be a tricky business, which is why it’s important to work with a trusted manufacturer who is transparent about ingredient sourcing and processing.
Organic formulations contain ingredients that come from plants and other natural products. However, to make sure that a product works and has a long shelf-life, some natural ingredients might need to be changed - such as through chopping, blending or combining. Other ingredients undergo chemical changes (for example: heating or boiling, oxidation or other chemical reactions).
To achieve the COSMOS-standard, these processes are carefully scrutinised to ensure only the most sustainable methods are permitted.
How Hera Beauty can help
Hera Beauty’s experience in COSMOS-standard certification means you can be guided through the processes and paperwork to launch your range in a stress-free way! And it will be more than worth it. By certifying, you can provide assurance to your customers that your products are meeting some of the highest available organic and natural standards.
Our team combines extensive knowledge and expertise, and we work closely with our clients - guiding you each step of the way. Whether you’re looking to choose organic or natural private label formulations or want to bring a new concept to market using our in-house product development team, we can assist you in reaching your ethical and environmental goals.
If you’re interested in discovering more about certification, why not get in touch? For further information about COSMOS certification, take a look at the Soil Association website.