What Are ECOCERT Certified Cosmetics?
All About the Environmentally-Friendly Certification for Beauty Products
Now more than ever, consumers are interested in purchasing eco-friendly and natural cosmetics. The synthetic chemicals found in some beauty products negatively impact not only the environment, but the health of people using the products as well. As consumers become more educated on the harmful effects of chemicals in cosmetics, the beauty industry has been keeping up with the demand by implementing a natural certification program called ECOCERT. This article will go over the benefits of certified organic skincare, how to obtain an ECOCERT certification, and how to find out if a cosmetics brand is ECOCERT certified.
What is ECOCERT?
ECOCERT is an organic certification organization founded in France in 1991 that conducts evaluations for several different industries, from food to cosmetics. The company is one the most well-known labels among natural cosmetics certifications in the world, evaluating products from over 80 countries. In order to hold the coveted certification for cosmetics, ECOCERT requires strict guidelines, evaluations, and product testing. They assess products and adjusts company practices if necessary, according to selected standards.
The requirements for cosmetic certification below have been taken directly from ECOCERT’s official website:
Raw materials must be obtained from renewable, eco-friendly sources and carefully processed.
The products must be free from GMOs (genetically modified organisms), parabens, phenoxyethanol, nanoparticles, silicone, PEG, synthetic perfumes or dyes, and animal products (except when naturally produced by the animal e.g. honey, milk, etc.).
At least 95% of the total ingredients must stem from natural origin
The packaging must be biodegradable or recyclable
Additionally, there is a slight difference in requirements between ECOCERT Organic Cosmetic and ECOCERT Natural Cosmetic. For organic certification, “at least 95% of all plant-based ingredients and at least 10% of total ingredients are selected from organic farming”. For natural certification, “At least 50% of all plant ingredients and at least 5% of the total ingredients are selected from organic agriculture.”
Benefits of certified organic skincare
Sustainable beauty is on the rise, with beauty shoppers choosing to purchase organic and natural cosmetics more often. Research continues to demonstrate how unhealthy non-organic cosmetics are; this proof should be enough to persuade more consumers to choose organic skincare products. Typical skincare contains harsh chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers that disrupt your skin health.
Some of the benefits of certified organic skincare include:
No harmful ingredients. Non-organic cosmetic products often include harsh chemicals that can disrupt your skin’s health and appearance. Certified organic skincare contains natural ingredients that you can read and understand.
No hormone-disruptors. Synthetic ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and pesticides. These chemicals are actually endocrine disruptors that can negatively affect your hormones.
Better for the planet. Non-organic skincare products include man-made chemicals and ingredients that are harmful to the soil, water, and air, not to mention animals and their habitats as well. Organic farming is a way to cultivate crops and raise animals in a way that is sustainable and respects the earth
They are cruelty-free. Organic skincare doesn’t need to test on animals because its ingredients are all-natural. No animals are harmed in the process of making organic cosmetics.
More effective. Organic skincare contains over 95% of active ingredients, versus 5-10% active ingredients in non-organic skincare. These organic ingredients contain skin-improving antioxidants that make their skincare that much more effective.
Certified organic skin care is an environmentally friendly and healthier alternative to non-organic products. Using organic cosmetics will not only help improve your skin health but also lessen your footprint on the environment and avoid harming innocent animals.
How to obtain an ECOCERT certification?
With the benefits of certified organic skincare versus non-organic, an ECOCERT certification may be an attractive option for your cosmetic products. The company works with you and your current practices to ensure they align with the standards you have picked for your product. The process of how to obtain your ECOCERT certification is laid out in five steps below:
Request. The ECOCERT team recommends the labels best suited to whatever needs you may have.
Contract. This establishes your relationship with Ecocert and is a fundamental step in the process.
Initial audit. Auditors make visits to review “the compliance of your systems, your practices, and your products with the corresponding standards”.
Certification file review. Certification officers review the audit report to make a decision regarding the certification.
Certification. The team at ECOCERT officially grant your certification. Now the logo can be used on your cosmetic product to reflect the standardization.
How to find out if a cosmetics brand is ECOCERT certified?
You may want to use all-organic cosmetic products for your skin, and one of the best ways to do so is to check if it is ECOCERT certified. To determine if a cosmetics brand is certified, first check for the wording “Certified by Ecocert”. Additionally, check for the red or black Ecocert certification logo. Finally, check for the description or name of the standard, for example, “organic”. This shows that the product has been checked for compliance by Ecocert.
Organic cosmetics can improve skin health and appearance with their all-natural ingredients and antioxidants. They are also an eco-friendly alternative to their non-organic counterparts, as well as a cruelty-free option to avoid harming animals in the process. When purchasing cosmetics, choosing to buy ECOCERT-certified cosmetics is an easy way to improve your health and wellness.
ECOCERT-certified cosmetics have been created with your skin health, the planet, and animals in mind. The company uses a rigorous method to determine if cosmetic products or brands are using best practices aligned with their chosen environmental or social standards. This helps beauty shoppers to decide on what cosmetics to purchase, depending on their values and ideal product.
Any cosmetics brand can apply to be certified through ECOCERT, and through just 5 steps, can complete the certification and have the official logo on their brand or product. Even if a brand is naturally organic, having an official logo to prove it can increase consumer purchases, making it easy for buyers to recognize a healthier alternative to non-organic cosmetics.
About COSMAX
COSMAX is one of the few ODM cosmetic manufacturers in the world that can provide a range of products that adhere to individual country regulations as well as global standards. COSMAX was the first company to acquire the ECOCERT certification in the history of the ODM cosmetics industry. To find out more about our ECOCERT certified cosmetic products, contact us.