Certifying Bodies

Ecocert

Ecocert was the first certification body to develop standards for "natural and organic cosmetics".

The basic principles of the Ecocert standard include: The use of ingredients derived from renewable resources, manufactured by environmentally friendly processes. Ecocert checks for the absence of GMO, parabens, phenoxyethanol, nanoparticles, silicon, PEG, synthetic perfumes and dyes, animal-derived ingredients (unless naturally produced by them: milk, honey, etc.). and encourages the use of biodegradable or recyclable nature of packaging. The certification process includes an onsite inspector from Ecocert to ensure adherence to standards.

There are two labels provided: "Natural and Organic Cosmetic Label" and  "Natural Cosmetic Label". For both labels, Ecocert Standard imposes that a minimum of 95% of the total ingredients come from natural origin.

For the natural and organic cosmetic label:

A minimum of 95% of all plant-based ingredients in the formula and a minimum of 10% of all ingredients by weight must come from organic farming.

For the natural cosmetic label: A minimum of 50% of all plant-based ingredients in the formula and a minimum of 5% of all ingredients by weight must come from organic farming.

 

 

Some ingredients very frequently found in cosmetics (water, salts, minerals) cannot be certified as organic because they are not sourced from farming. For example, shampoos and some creams, mostly composed of water, contain between 10% and 40% organic ingredients, and always 95% natural ingredients. An essential oil, which does not contain water, can be up to 100% organic ingredients.

USDA Organic

An United States standard for organic products in accordance to the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. Certification is performed by an onsite inspector knowledgeable in the field (a certifying agent) and re-inspected annually to maintain certification status. See below for the 4 types of labeling from the USDA: 100% Organic, Organic, Made with Organic Ingredients, and <70% Organic Ingredients. Only the first two types are allowed to display the USDA Organic symbol on packaging. 

The USDA does allow synthetic substances in organic crop production such as: soap based insect repellent, boric acid, elemental sulfur. See the complete list here. 

National Sanitation Foundation Organic Standards

The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics

 The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) Leaping Bunny Program administers a cruelty-free standard and the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo for companies producing cosmetics or household products. The Leaping Bunny Program provides the best assurance that no animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers. 

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