The European Cosmetics Standards Working Group has run an open public consultation on the Cosmetics Organic Standard (COSMOS-standard).
The standard and other information is accessible on its website (www.cosmos-standard.org) The working group, consisting of seven European organisations (BIOFORUM of Belgium, COSMEBIO and ECOCERT of France, BDIH of Germany, AIAB and ICEA of Italy, and the Soil Association of the UK) represents manufacturer associations, standards and certifying organisations, and consumer associations working in the field of organic and natural cosmetic products. They account for more than 1,000 certified companies, more than 11,000 certified products, and certification in more than 38 countries. “This group came together six years ago to develop a harmonised cosmetics standard,” said Harald Dittmar of BDIH. “This groundbreaking draft is the result of the common effort of these organisations to achieve a set of rules covering all aspects of cosmetic production under either organic or natural certification.” “With such an important development,” continued Francis Blake of the Soil Association, “We felt it was vital to open the standard up for wide public consultation.” “We have based the standard on some simple rules governed by the principles of prevention and safety at all levels of the chain from production of raw materials to the distribution of finished products,” said Rodolphe Balz of COSMEBIO. The rules are:
Promoting the use of products from organic agriculture, and respecting biodiversity.
Using natural resources responsibly, respecting the environment.
Using processing and manufacturing methods that are clean and respectful of human health and the environment.
Integrating and developing the concept of “green chemistry” instead of petrochemicals. “The standard takes into account the current technological reality while infusing a dynamism that will lead to innovative developments,” commented Valerie Lemaire of ECOCERT. “It aims to ensure the transition between today’s and tomorrow’s possibilities of technological advances to promote the development of cosmetics ever more natural and organic.” The working group asked for comments to be sent by 4 January 2009
