The Cosmos Organic Label

The need for a European organic label

Any product cannot describe itself as “organic”. A certain number of requirements listed by specific labels must be met for a product to be qualified “organic”. 
And this has actually become an issue: the rising number of organic products has led to an increasing number of organic labels which all coexist. To each label corresponds a different list of requirements, or reference frame. In addition, independent certifying bodies verify the proper application of these requirements, for each brand and for each product. A great number of logos therefore appear on the end-products – making it difficult for consumers to figure it all out. 

Which is why, in Europe, five independent labels or certification bodies have decided to join forces to form an international association, COSMOS-standard AISBL, based in Brussels. The founding members are:

-    BDIH, a German label
-    Cosmébio, a French label
-    ECOCERT, a certification body, also French
-    ICEA, an Italian certifying body,
-    Soil Association, a British label

The aim of this independent organisation? 
-    Define common minimum requirements
-    Harmonize the certification rules for organic cosmetics
-    Lobbying 
-    Promoting the interests of the organic sector 

And after years of lively discussions, on January 1st 2017,  the Cosmos standard and its Cosmos Organic label were born!

Since then, its “Cosmos Organic” logo features on all organic products that have been certified by either one of the five founding members. In France for instance, products which have been certified by Cosmos feature the “Cosmos Organic” logo together with the “Ecocert” and “Cosmébio” French labels. 

Insert appropriate logos for your market (for France: Cosmos organic + Ecocert + Cosmebio)

What are the requirements of the Cosmos Organic label?

Natural and organic ingredients – above all

Products certified according to the Cosmos Organic Standard meet a list of ingredient requirements:
-    95% (minimum) of the ingredients must be of natural origin
-    20% (minimum) of the ingredients in the formula must be from organic farming and 10% for rinseable products (cleansing gels for instance)
-    Some ingredients necessarily have to be organic such as sunflower oil or mint hydrosol 
-    Some ingredients are prohibited: nanoparticles, GMOs…

Please note: water or minerals cannot be organic because they cannot be farmed. In cosmetic products which contain a lot of water (many of them do, because water is one of their major components), the proportion of organic products is consequently diluted. On the other hand, oils, which do not contain water, can be made of 100% organic ingredients.

Extended guarantees

The label also guarantees that the product has undergone demanding manufacturing and transformation processes which comply with: 
-    Respect for biodiversity
-    Responsible use of natural resources
-    Production and transformation processes that respect human health and the environment
-    The use of recyclable packaging.

How about Mustela’s products? 

Until now, we offer two ranges of certified organic products, according to the Cosmos Organic Standard:
-    Our Maternity range: for stretch marks and breastfeeding
-    Our 4-product range for the whole family, as soon as birth, which goes beyond the label’s requirements: organic inside-out!