Soil Association announces EU standard for organic health and beauty products

(12/06/2009)

The Soil Association has announced a new EU-wide, harmonised standard for organic health and beauty products.

This is the first common standard in the world that will ensure clarity and transparency for both consumers and the trade at a time when the organic health and beauty market is experiencing extremely significant growth - in 2008 UK sales of organic health and beauty products increased an impressive 69% to £27 million.

Francis Blake, director of Soil Association standards said: “This new harmonised standard is a real breakthrough for consumers and for the organic health and beauty industry and we hope it will be used as an international blue print. Application to use this standard is open to all certification bodies as of 30 Sept 2009.”

The new ‘COSMOS-standard’ is a result of six years work in collaboration with five European organisations: Soil Association (UK), BDIH (Germany), BIOFORUM (Belgium), COSMEBIO & ECOCERT (France), and ICEA (Italy). It also covers the regulation of ‘natural’ cosmetics. The objective of this new standard is ambitious and goes beyond all current requirements for organic and natural cosmetics.

After an international public consultation of three months (Nov 2008 to Jan 2009), the European Cosmetics Standards Working Group have now published the final COSMOS-standard online. Current organic brands will have a 3-year transition period [up to Sept 2012] if they need to alter formulations and labelling. Any new organic brands will have to adhere to these new standards immediately.

Related categories:  Legislation   Organic body care   Organic makeup