ECOCERT COSMOS

Benefits to using the COSMOS-standard: The COSMOS-standard is on track to be the most widely used organic and natural cosmetics standard globally – allied to its founder member organisations are some 85% of certified companies. Therefore you will be signing up to the ‘industry standard’ – the same harmonised standard that applies around the world. You can therefore have consistent labelling on all your products for all your markets. And these can build on your existing badging (association or certifier logo) together with the COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL signature. Your customers also get clear information on the labels, with transparent declaration of organic percentages. How to apply to certify your products: First, you need to be sure that the products you are formulating meet the COSMOS-standard and use only ingredients that the Standard allows – you will find a wide range of approved raw materials and certified ingredients in our databases (please note that the database of approved raw materials is password protected – your association or chosen certifier will be able to give you access). Next, you will need to apply to an authorised certification body – they will send you an application form to complete for the products you want certified. Once they’ve checked this, they will conduct an audit visit of your operation to ensure that everything complies with the Standard. When any resulting issues have been resolved and all necessary paperwork has been completed, you will receive a Certificate and will be able to start marketing your products as COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL, depending on their organic percentage. The certification body will make a further audit visit every year after that, and may make unannounced visits as well. The process of achieving certification can take several months, depending on the complexity of your products and manufacturing processes, so please make sure you leave enough time before your planned launch of the products. COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard) is a Europe-wide private standard that was developed by five charters members: BDIH (Germany); Cosmebio (France); Ecocert Greenlife SAS (France); ICEA (Italy); Soil Association (Great Britain). They were all combined under an AISBL (international non-profit organisation based in Brussels) the purpose of which was to set down minimum common requirements, harmonise organic and natural cosmetic certification rules, and lobby institutions in the sector's interests. COSMOS makes use of the principles in the Ecocert standard (January 2003 version): Promote the use of ingredients from organic farming; Use production and manufacturing processes that are environmentally sound and safe for human health; Include and expand the concept of "green chemicals".

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