The term ‘organic’ is more than just a buzzword or a marketing gimmick.
Organic products are made from natural or naturally derived ingredients without genetic modification or the help of synthetic chemicals, herbicides or pesticides.
Choosing organic products can be important to people for a range of personal, health related and ethical reasons.
When it comes to certifying a product as organic, Australia has some of the highest standards in the beauty industry. So you can be sure your organic shampoo and conditioner are actually organic.
Certified organic products have to be approved by an external organisation who can confirm that a product has been produced in an organic way, with organic ingredients.
Who is COSMOS and what do they do?
COSMOS was set up in 2010 by certifying bodies in Germany, France, Italy, and the UK with the aim to harmonise global organic certification.
The requirements are set by an elected body and can be read in detail on its website. Here are the highlights of the COSMOS organic standard:
Organic Ingredients
The product must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic ingredients, excluding water, salts, and minerals.
At least 20% of the total ingredients (including water, salts, and minerals) must be organic except for mineral or wash-off products, which need to have only 10%
Organic Processes
Ingredients cannot be genetically modified.
Product must be produced in a green way, with low-waste production and energy use.
Products or ingredients must not be tested on animals.
Packaging
The company must minimise the amount of material used and maximise the amount of material that can be reused or recycled.
PVC, plastics, and materials that contain GMOs cannot be used in the packaging.
Labelling must be clear, not misleading.
