Cosmebio, a label for Organic and Natural cosmetics
The Cosmebio label makes it possible to distinguish at a glance which cosmetics are truly natural or organic. This label is based on demanding specifications and a charter of ethical values. An inspection by an independent certifier is mandatory every year to check the conformity of the products.
A label that guarantees which cosmetic products you can trust to be truly natural, organic...and more!
Cosmébio goes beyond the composition of the products its labels. As we explain on the Organic Cosmetics page : organic and natural cosmetics are not just products formulated with ingredients of natural origin but they also promise to respect the environment, promote social values and communicate with complete transparance. The Cosmebio label guarantees that the products are following these requirements !
The 3 different Cosmébio logos and what they represent
In order to use a Cosmébio label on a product's packaging, a natural or organic cosmetic must follow certain conditions in regards to the composition of its ingredients.
Here are the three logos that you can find on over 16 000 labelled products and their respective standards:
95% to 100% of the ingredients of the total product must be of natural origin (with water and mineral or mineral-based ingredients considered as natural)
95% to 100% of the plant-based ingredients must be organic
10% minimum of the ingredients of the total product must be organic (with water and mineral or mineral-based ingredients considered as non-organic because they are not derived from a life form)
Approximately 95% to 100% of the ingredients of the total product must be of natural origin (with water and mineral or mineral-based ingredients considered as natural)
Approximately 95% to 100% of the ingredients of the total product must be of natural origin (with water and mineral or mineral-based ingredients considered as natural)
95% to 100% of ingredients which can be organic must be organic (such as plant material, beeswax, milk...)
20% minimum of the ingredients of the total product must be organic (10% for rinse-off products and minerals considered as non-organic because they are not derived from a life form)
The Cosmebio label also guarantees the absence of some controversial ingredients, such as silicons, phenoxyethanol and parabens ….
Guarantees that go beyond the product
The Cosmébio label doesn’t stop at the ingredient list, it guarantees everything around it, thus covering the entire life cycle of the product:
- origin of raw materials to encourage ethical and sustainable sourcing
- mild and non-polluting transformation processes
- of the finished product (composition, packaging, storage)
- transparent labeling and responsible communication
Want to know more? Read our article about the certification process.
Guarantees harmonised on an international scale thanks to the COSMOS-standard
Since 1st January 2017, all new cosmetic products launched on the organic market must be formulated to meet the requirements of the COSMOS-standard. Cosmébio is one of the five founding members that developed the standard's specifications. The aim of COSMOS was to blend all the guarantees provided by organic labels worldwide into one common standard.
The companies using COSMOS-standard currently represent more than 4,000 certified products. If the 'Cosmos Organic' or 'Cosmos Natural' approval logo is displayed beneath the Cosmébio label, this shows that the product has been formulated to meet the requirements of the COSMOS-standard.
The New Cosmébio Manifesto
Cosmébio was born out of a powerful will to offer organic cosmetics that preserve both our health and the environment. Created at a time when these topics were still arcane, the historic battles of the association have revolutionized the sector, creating a necessary transparency for certification. With this manifesto, signed by all of its members, Cosmébio is hereby renewing its commitments.
By joining our movement, you are :
- Declaring that our health and the environnement are intertwined;
- Acting in coherence so that our methods of care and beauty are methods of protection;
- Believing in the vital necessity to preserve the connection between humanity and nature;
- Joining with other companies that have decided to put their ideals into action.
Read more about the Cosmébio Manifesto
How to get the Cosmébio organic label?
There are two steps in the process of getting the Cosmébio organic label on a brand's cosmetic products :
First step : cosmetic certification
To verify compliance with product composition requirements, we call on independent certifying bodies. Due to its status as an association, Cosmébio does not have the right to certify the products itself. This process is therefore done by one of our three accredited certifiers: Bureau Veritas, Cosmécert and Ecocert. This audit is mandatory at least once a year.
During this process, the auditors verify that all criteria listed in the COSMOS standard is respected. If everything is in compliance, they issue a certificate indicating whether the product is natural or organic with the corresponding percentages. This information is then added to the packaging of the products.
Second step : applying to be a member of the Cosmébio association
Once the products have been certified in compliance with the COSMOS standard, the company can become a member of Cosmébio. During the application process, we ask brands to fill out a form to give us information about their company and their ethics policy. We then ask that they sign the Cosmébio Manifesto, the document declaring the association’s and its brand’s commitments to eco-responsible cosmetics:
To fulfill the technical requirements
for natural and organic cosmetics
To have respect for
mankind and the environment
To ensure responsible
and transparent communication