LOGOS

You will find below a brief description of the major organic certifications with links to corresponding websites or complementary information.

ORGANIC LOGOS

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The AB Logo is the property of the French Ministry of Agriculture.

The organic agriculture label is awarded to products that contain at least 95% of ingredients coming from organic agriculture. It applies to agricultural products and the foods. (French website)

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ECOCERT is a control and certification organization, whose activity is, for this reason, closely aligned with the Authorities and the legislation. Ecocert checks the respect of the specifications by announced annual visits and also through unexpected visits to control the installations, parcels of land, buildings, manufacturing methods, ingredients, accounting, packing, transport, etc (French website)

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The label "Nature et Progrès" is more demanding than the label "Organic Agriculture". It is for food products and, since 1998, cosmetics. Nature et Progrès is an Association which groups together agricultural producers, manufacturers of cosmetics and consumers. Their goal is to make products that respect the laws of nature and use the least possible synthetic ingredients. Obtaining the label is subjected to controls carried out by an independent organization.

The cosmetics awarded that label do not contain petrochemical compounds, synthetic products, synthetic perfumes or dyes. The vegetable ingredients are obviously from organic farming.

The specifications also cover the environmental management of the production. (French websites)

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Nature et Progrès Belgium

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This new EU organic logo became obligatory as from 1 July 2012 on all pre-packaged organic food products produced in EU Member States which meet the necessary standards. The visual field of the logo should also show the code number of the control body and the place of farming of the agricultural raw materials.

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BDIH is the Association of German Industries and Trading Firms for pharmaceuticals, health care products, food supplements and personal hygiene products. In 1996, working together with leading natural cosmetics producers, the BDIH developed comprehensive guidelines for certified natural cosmetics, keeping in mind the expectations of consumers.

The makers of the products marked with the "Certified Natural Cosmetics" seal use natural raw material such as plant oils, fats and waxes, herbal extracts and essential oils and aromatic materials from controlled biological cultivation or controlled biological wild collection. In addition to the careful selection of raw materials, the ecological impact of each product plays an important role.

No animal testing may be performed or commissioned when end products are manufactured, developed or tested. It is prohibited to use raw materials obtained from dead vertebrates. Organic-synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, ethoxylated raw materials, silicones, paraffin and other petroleum products are deliberately rejected.

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NATRUE is an international non-profit association who's goal is to promote and protect natural skin care. They certify three levels:

  • NATURAL COSMETICS
  • NATURAL COSMETICS WITH ORGANIC PORTION
  • ORGANIC COSMETICS.

The NATRUE label guaranties the following:

  • Natural and organic ingredients
  • Soft manufacturing processes
  • Environmentally friendly practices
  • No synthetic fragrances and colours
  • No petroleum derived products (paraffins, peg, -propyle-, -alkyle-, etc.)
  • No silicon oils and derivatives
  • No genetically modified ingredients (based on EU rules)
  • No irradiation of end product and botanical ingredients
  • Products may not be tested on animals. (Detailled information)

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The French Trade Association Cosmebio, which groups together mainly cosmetics manufacturers, set up a label for natural cosmetics in 2002. The control is carried out by independent and approved certification organizations like Ecocert.

The label Cosmébio ECO warranty:

  • at least 95% natural ingredients
  • at least 5% organic ingredients for the finished product
  • and 50% organic ingredients on the total of vegetable ingredients.
The label Cosmébio BIO warranty:
  • at least 95% natural ingredients
  • at least 10% organic ingredients for the finished product
  • and 95% organic ingredients on the total of vegetable ingredients.

The ingredients prohibited under the label Cosmebio are silicones (pollutants), GMO's, synthetic preservatives, synthetic dyes, synthetic perfumes as well as ingredients stemming from oil.

There is a tolerance of 5% of synthetic ingredients chosen among a restrictive list. The manufacturing processes must respect the environment. Tests on animals are prohibited.

The Cosmebio label is the least demanding of the labels for natural cosmetics. This label does not guarantee that the cosmetic is completely natural or completely organic. (French website)

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Demeter is the oldest trademark related to organic farming products and was founded in 1928. Demeter is the brand for products from Biodynamic Agriculture. Only strictly controlled and contractually bound partners are permitted to use the Brand. A comprehensive verification process insures strict compliance with the International Demeter Production and Processing Standards, as well as applicable organic regulations in the various countries. It covers more than 3500 Food Products with Character - including Cosmetics and Fashions

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Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

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INCI

INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. This nomenclature was created in 1973 and is kept up to date by the American association CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). In Europe, its utilization is mandatory for cosmetics since 1998: all cosmetics shall show on their packaging the complete list of all ingredients in the descending order and under their INCI name.

The listing of all ingredients allows to know what the cosmetics are really made of and to find the ingredients that generate allergies.

The INCI nomenclature uses two languages: the Latin for the plants extracts and the English for the names of the molecules and the usual names. By convention, the perfumes are grouped under the name "perfume", without details. The dyes are designated using a "Color Index" written CI followed with a number of 5 digits.

For additional information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INCI
http://www.beaute-test.com/composant.php (fr)
http://www.oshun.ca/inci.html
http://www.oshun.ca/info.html
http://www.soapnuts.com/inci.html

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The Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) is the world's only international criteria for cosmetic or toiletry products that are "Not Tested on Animals". The HCS was launched in 1998 by an international coalition of animal protection groups from across the European Union and North America, including the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments.

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The products bearing this label are certified non-allergenic, this in reference to cosmetic ingredients recognized as capable to cause allergic reactions.

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