Technical Insights: A Critical Assessment of Natural & Organic Cosmetic Standards

November 2009 | 60 pages | ID: T58680CEE2DEN
ORGANIC MONITOR

Abstracts

Hard Copy Format: €1040

Report Description:

With so many new natural & organic cosmetic standards being introduced, cosmetic companies, formulations and ingredient companies are becoming lost in this growing maze. This Technical Insights report critically reviews natural & organic standards, focusing on the permissible and prohibited ingredients, processes and formulation issues.

The report has been produced by a chartered chemist who has over 30 years experience in cosmetic formulations. A comparative analysis is undertaken of the various standards and their adoption implications.

Key Questions Answered:

- What are the main natural & organic cosmetic standards in Europe, North America and other regions?
- What are the adoption rates of each of these standards?
- What are the differences between the various natural & organic cosmetic standards?
- What cosmetic ingredients are permitted / prohibited in each of these standards?
- What are the exact details of the finalised European Cosmos natural & organic cosmetic standards?
- What is the process to get a natural & organic cosmetic ingredient / product certified? How can dual certification be prevented?
- What companies supply certified natural & organic cosmetic ingredients?
- What companies can formulate and manufacture certified finished products for third parties?
- What are the preservative and formulation issues of the leading natural & organic cosmetic standards?

Research Highlights:

This report finds the number of natural & organic cosmetic standards is proliferating; however this technical analysis shows that prospects for a global unified standard appear low.

This new Technical Insights report critically assesses the leading international natural & organic cosmetic standards. Standards covered include Ecocert, NaTrue, Soil Association, BDiH, ICEA, OASIS, NSF, NPA, IBD as well as the new European Cosmos initiative. A major finding is that although standards are gaining in popularity, adoption is mostly on a national basis. Very few standards have built a regional – let alone international - presence. Furthermore, the differences between the most popular standards in each region remain wide.

The Technical Insights report is a practical guide for companies looking to adopt natural & organic cosmetic standards. It enables decisions to be made on the most appropriate standards, based on technical comparisons. It can be used to overcome the pitfalls and challenges of developing certified natural & organic ingredients / products. Profiles are given of companies that supply certifies ingredients as well as contract manufacturers & formulators of certified finished products.

Research Methodology

This Technical Insights report has been produced by a chartered chemist with over 30 years experience in cosmetic formulations. Analysis was undertaken by collecting information directly from certification agencies, ingredient suppliers, product developers & formulators as well as cosmetic manufacturers. Information was also gathered from technical seminars & workshops undertaken by Organic Monitor as well as trade & industry associations, industry observers and company visits.

Contents

INTRODUCTION & SCOPE

Summary and Overview
Definitions

PART I: CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS WORLDWIDE

Background
European Natural and Organic Standards Organisations
BDIH (Germany)
NaTrue (Belgium)
Ecocert (France)
CosmeBio (France)
Soil Association (UK)
ICEA (Italy)
Bioforum (Belgium)
Other European Standards
European Eco Labelling Schemes
North American Natural & Organic Cosmetic Standards
USDA / NOP
OASIS (Organic & Sustainable Industry Standards)
NSF International
NPA (Natural Products Association)
Certech Registration
Latin America
Asia
Australasia
Retailer Standards

PART II: HARMONISATION AND GLOBALISATION OF NATURAL & ORGANIC STANDARDS

COSMOS
Natural certification
Organic certification
NaTrue
Comparison of European Standards
Example of a COSMOS Standard Calculation
Comparison of US Standards
Comparison of Allowable Preservatives in Europe and North America
Comparison of Worldwide Natural Cosmetic Standards
Universally Prohibited Ingredients
Prohibited Processes

PART III: PROFILES OF CERTIFIED NATURAL AND ORGANIC INGREDIENT SUPPLIERS

PART IV: PROFILES OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC AND NATURAL PRODUCT CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS

APPENDIX I: Definition of Chemical Processes
APPENDIX II: Calculation of Organic Content of Plant Extracts, COSMOS (revised March 2009)

LIST OF SELECTED COMPANIES

Contract Manufacturers
Europe
North America
Other Regions
Ingredient Suppliers
Associations and Others