Cosmetic Regulations: labels & certifications

Today, many labels exist for cosmetic products. Who awards it? Is it really a guarantee of quality? Not all labels are created equal since the requirements of the certifying bodies are not necessarily identical. So, how do you choose the labels for your cosmetic products? 

We give you a breakdown of the different labels to help you navigate your way through the market.

What are Labels & Certifications?

The label guarantees to the consumer that the product or service meet certain criterias in terms of quality, origin, and method of production.

Certification is defined by law and makes it possible to certify that the product meets standards. Certifications are issued by independent and recognised organisations.

Why a label?

• The cosmetic & care industry is concerned by many sustainable issues
• Customers want more sustainable products
• Labels are a way to build trust
• But too many exist and they are not equal

Key issues in the cosmetic & personal care sector

• Transparency & traceability: supply chains of ingredients are global and sometimes difficult to track
• Green formulations: a need of the market exists to switch to renewable sources for raw materials
• Sustainable packaging: legal constraints are rising to decrease the impact of packaging
• Climate change: the Paris Agreement requires that any industry reduces its greenhouses gases emissions
• Water management: the cosmetic industry uses a large amount of water, generating impacts & dependencies
• Social impacts: most industries focus more on the environmental side, or have a foundation and/or make a charity donation, but few create social value in their communities and for their stakeholders

US: more sustainable products wanted but a lack of trust

• 61% of all consumers rate a brand’s sustainability efforts as somewhat to very important when purchasing a beauty/wellness product
• 21% are willing to pay more

However…

• 21% don’t trust that brands are as sustainable as they claim
• 25% don’t know how to tell if a product is sustainable at all

UK: 60% want cruelty free/vegan or natural/organic products

Main categories of a label:

• Natural or organic 
• Environmental
• Cruelty free (not test on animals)  
• Vegan

Natural or Organic

Products with labels or certifications below must be in accordance with the European COSMOS standard.

• Ecocert Greenlife (France)
• Cosmebio (France)
• BDIH (Germany)
• Icea (Italy)
• Soil Association (UK)

Other European organic labels:

• Nature & Progrès (France)
• Natrue (Belgium)
• Biodynamy label
• Demeter (France)

International organic labels:

Cruelty-free:

 Vegan: