The COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard) is the most stringent of all European standards. It not only regulates the processes of growing plant raw materials and creating cosmetics, but also comprehensively takes into account the impact of production processes and final products on the environment. Products certified according to the COSMOS standard are marked with the COSMOS ORGANIC (organic cosmetics) or COSMOS NATURAL (natural cosmetics) signs in combination with the logo of the COSMOS member organization that issues the certificate (BDIH, Cosmebio, Soil Association, ICEA, Ecocert).
The COSMOS ORGANIC sign means that the product should contain only natural products, 95% of the ingredients should be of plant origin. It is allowed to use a maximum of 5% of synthetic components allowed by the standard. At least 20% of the components must be of organic origin if it is an indelible product, and 10% if it is washable.
Also, the main requirements include:
- it is forbidden to use nanomaterials;
- it is forbidden to use radioactive radiation;
- it is forbidden to use genetic engineering products (no more than 0.9% of the total weight);
- it is allowed to process raw materials with environmentally friendly substances presented in a special list;
- environmentally friendly type of production;
- annual inspections to check materials, packaging, organization of work and other segments of production.
The packaging must be recyclable or biodegradable.
COSMOS ORGANIC is the strictest category of the COSMOS standard in comparison with the category COSMOS NATURAL.