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--- algae:cosmetics:certification [2026-06-23 12:54] – created robert
+++ algae:cosmetics:certification [2026-06-26 09:51] (current) – [Cosmetics — Certification Schemes and Standards] robert
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 ===== Cosmetics — Certification Schemes and Standards =====
 This sub-page covers voluntary certification and quality schemes relevant to cosmetic products containing algae. These schemes are private, not established by EU regulation, but are commercially significant because "organic" and "natural" cosmetic claims in the EU are not defined by binding EU law and instead rely on these private standards.
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 ==== COSMOS-Standard ====
-COSMOS-standard AISBL (Brussels) operates two levels of certification:
+[[https://www.cosmos-standard.org/en/|COSMOS-standard]] AISBL (a non-profit association, Brussels) operates two levels of certification:
   * __COSMOS ORGANIC__ — requires that a significant proportion of all agronomic ingredients (including algae ingredients) be certified organic, typically to the EU organic Regulation or equivalent national organic standards; sets processing restrictions; requires origin and sustainability documentation.
   * __COSMOS NATURAL__ — requires that ingredients be of natural origin or derived from natural origin by permitted processes; organic certification of algal ingredients is not required but is allowed and credited.
+There are two levels of certification of the raw materials (ingredients): COSMOS CERTIFIED and COSMOS APPROVED.
 The technical standard defines permitted and prohibited processes for transforming natural ingredients into cosmetic materials, and includes specific provisions for marine-derived ingredients (seaweeds, marine extracts). Algae producers supplying the cosmetics sector increasingly need to be able to provide COSMOS-compliant ingredient certification to their cosmetic manufacturer customers.
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 ==== NATRUE ====
-NATRUE is an international non-profit association based in Brussels that operates its own certification standard for natural and organic cosmetics, with two levels: "Natural cosmetics with organic ingredients" and "Organic cosmetics". The technical requirements differ from COSMOS in some specific areas. NATRUE certification is recognised in the market alongside COSMOS and is particularly prevalent in Germany and Central Europe.
+[[https://natrue.org/|NATRUE]] is an international non-profit association based in Brussels that operates its own certification standard for natural and organic cosmetics, with two levels: "Natural cosmetics with organic ingredients" and "Organic cosmetics". The technical requirements differ from COSMOS in some specific areas. NATRUE certification is recognised in the market alongside COSMOS and is particularly prevalent in Germany and Central Europe.
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 ==== EU Ecolabel for Cosmetics ====
-The EU Ecolabel (Flower label) is a voluntary environmental certification scheme established under Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel. Product group criteria for rinse-off cosmetic products (shampoos, conditioners, shower gels) have been established, and criteria for other cosmetic categories have been or are being developed. The Ecolabel criteria for cosmetic products address biodegradability of ingredients, limitation of hazardous substances, and packaging sustainability — they are different from COSMOS/NATRUE in focus (environmental sustainability rather than "natural/organic" product character).
+[[https://www.eu-ecolabel.nl/en/about-eu-ecolabel/|The EU Ecolabel (Flower label)]] is a voluntary environmental certification scheme established under Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 on the EU Ecolabel [[https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02010R0066-20171114|EURlex]]. Product group criteria for rinse-off cosmetic products (shampoos, conditioners, shower gels) have been established, and criteria for other cosmetic categories have been or are being developed. The Ecolabel criteria for cosmetic products address biodegradability of ingredients, limitation of hazardous substances, and packaging sustainability — they are different from COSMOS/NATRUE in focus (environmental sustainability rather than "natural/organic" product character).
 Algae-derived ingredients may be relevant to Ecolabel cosmetics both as active ingredients and as more sustainable alternatives to synthetic alternatives; however, the Ecolabel criteria must be checked specifically for each product category.