CERTIFICATION

USDA CERTIFICATION

The USDA NOP (National Organic Program) organic certification is the U.S. federal regulation governing organic farming in the United States. It ensures the compliance of organic products marketed in the U.S. by guaranteeing several key aspects:

Protection of the environment and climate.

Conservation of soil fertility.

Maintenance of biodiversity.

Respect for natural cycles and animal welfare.

Non-use of synthetic chemicals and GMOs.

Transparent labeling for the consumer.

To obtain the USDA ORGANIC label, an accredited certifying organization, such as Ecocert, must verify that your products meet the NOP requirements. This certification applies to raw agricultural materials, food products, and cosmetics labeled as "100% organic," "organic," or "made with organic products." It involves various stakeholders in the agri-food and cosmetics sectors, including farmers, producers, processors, distributors, importers, and exporters.

Ecocert, with nearly 30 years of experience in organic auditing and certification across more than 130 countries, is a global specialist in certifying sustainable practices. Approximately 45,000 operators worldwide are certified under the NOP, with 3,780 of them certified by Ecocert, spread across 94 countries through 21 subsidiaries.

The NOP offers four levels of certification based on the composition of the final product:

"100% ORGANIC": A product containing only ingredients from organic farming (excluding water and salt).
"Organic": A product made up of at least 95% organic ingredients.
"Made with Organic ...": A product containing between 70% and 95% organic ingredients.
"Specific Organic Ingredient Listings": A product with less than 70% organic ingredients, where only specific ingredients can be listed as organic.

ECOCERT CERTIFICATION

The COSMOS certification (COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard) is an international standard dedicated to organic and natural cosmetics. It guarantees consumers that certified products meet strict criteria regarding the production, processing, and origin of ingredients.

The main guarantees of the COSMOS certification include:

Production and processing methods that are environmentally friendly and human health-conscious.

The development of the green chemistry concept.

A responsible use of natural resources.

Respect for biodiversity.

The absence of petrochemical ingredients (excluding authorized preservatives) such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, as well as synthetic fragrances and colorants.

The absence of GMOs.

Recyclable packaging.

To obtain the COSMOS label, products must be certified as compliant with the international COSMOS standard or the private Ecocert reference. All products displaying the Ecocert logo have undergone a thorough verification, covering composition, processing methods, and packaging, providing consumers with transparent information about the content of natural and organic ingredients.

In terms of composition, the certification requires that all ingredients be of natural origin, with the exception of a limited list of approved ingredients (including some preservatives) allowed in small quantities. On average, products certified by Ecocert contain 99% natural-origin ingredients.

For a product to be certified COSMOS ORGANIC, it must contain at least 95% plant-based ingredients from organic farming and at least 20% organic ingredients in the entire formula (10% for rinse-off products). It is important to note that water and minerals are not considered organic, which may influence the total percentage of organic ingredients in the final product.

The COSMOS certification is aimed at raw material producers, cosmetic product manufacturers, brands, and any stakeholder in the cosmetic industry wishing to engage in an environmentally and human health-conscious approach.