121 INGREDIENT CERTIFICATION
■ The NATRUE certification guarantees consumers high-quality natural and organic cosmetic products, supporting sustainable innovation and responsible consumption, protecting the environment and promoting waste reduction, defending animal welfare, NATRUE’s certified products are made up only of 100% natural, derived natural and nature-identical substances, no substances from GMO’’s, silicones, parabens, microplastics, synthetic fragrances or mineral oils are permitted in the formulation of products carrying the NATRUE label, and transparency. All players in the sector must be committed
to improving their production practices and communicating their transparency to their customers. Joint efforts can foster a fair market environment where genuine sustainability is rewarded, and deceptive practices are discouraged.
Challenges arising in the certification process The journey to certification often requires overcoming challenges such as securing reliable data on ingredients, for example concerning non-GMO compliance. Manufacturers must collaborate with Ecocert to provide transparent information, ensuring that every step of a product’s supply chain meets certification standards. Ecocert’s new client portal has streamlined this process, improving efficiency and communication. The certification process is meticulous
and thorough, ensuring that only products or ingredients meeting the highest standards receive certification. Here follows an overview of the steps involved. The first step is the request: Our team
advises you on the labels best suited to your needs: Depending on your commitment and your manufacturing - production - traceability process, you can choose to certify your products according to a specific standard The second step is the contract: A key
step to your engagement with Ecocert. The third, and the most essential step: the audit. Companies submit detailed documentation about their products, ingredients, sourcing methods, and manufacturing processes, and our team reviews all ingredients, formulas, labels, and packaging on paper, verifying their compliance with the standards. Our auditors visit annually manufacturing
facilities and also brands to assess compliance, from raw material sourcing to the finished product, the traceability, and the environmental management plan of committed clients, using an audit methodology based on sampling and risk analysis. The fourth step consists of examining the
certification file. The certification decision officer reviews the entire dossier and the audit report to decide whether a positive certification decision can be awarded to the company for their cosmetics products or ingredients; if a product meets all criteria, it is listed on the certificate, which needs to be renewed every year, as the certification is not permanent and requires regular re-evaluation. The fifth, and final, step is the certification
PERSONAL CARE April 2025
itself; our team issues a certificate. At this point, the client can display the logo associated with the standard on the labels (for example COSMOS by Ecocert) with a transparent communication. Certified companies are subject to annual audits and continuous monitoring to ensure compliance with the standards.
The auditor’s perspective: certifying raw material manufacturers for sustainability Ecocert auditors play a critical role in ensuring that raw material manufacturers comply with the rigorous requirements of sustainability standards. Their work involves thoroughly evaluating production processes, from agricultural sourcing to chemical transformations, to verify adherence to strict sustainability and certification frameworks. While auditors maintain impartiality, they provide clarity by explaining the rules and standards that manufacturers must follow. Certifying raw materials often involves unique challenges depending on the type of material and the scale of the manufacturer. For agricultural raw materials, which are transformed for use in cosmetics, certification requirements go beyond those of organic agriculture. For example, the extraction processes used in cosmetics must meet stricter criteria. Approved methods are designed to preserve
the natural properties of ingredients while avoiding the use of harmful solvents or additives. Auditors assess whether these processes comply with the certification standards, ensuring transparency and accountability at every step. A significant part of an auditor’s role is
verifying formulations. Manufacturers frequently encounter difficulties in aligning their production practices with certification standards, particularly for chemically processed ingredients. The diversity of manufacturers presents additional complexity. Small, local operations specializing in agricultural transformations often focus on direct plant extraction, while
large multinational companies, may involve more intricate chemical processes and global supply chains. Each of these scenarios requires a tailored approach to auditing, with particular attention to the specific risks and compliance challenges inherent to the manufacturer’s scale and operations. Chemical transformations of agricultural
raw materials pose specific challenges for both manufacturers and auditors. The auditor’s role focuses on verifying
that manufacturers understand and apply the standards correctly. By clearly communicating the rules and maintaining transparency throughout the audit process, they help manufacturers align their practices with certification requirements. Ultimately, raw material certification is about
more than meeting technical standards; it is about building trust and fostering transparency.
Benefits of the certification From the first audit to the issuing of the certificate, Ecocert teams evaluate and ensure that your activities comply with the specifications of the labels you have chosen. For all your stakeholders, certification
enables you to communicate your commitments transparently. It improves the efficiency and reliability
of your organisation. A committed company means committed employees. The whole organisation, from the smallest to the largest, is committed to a common goal: producing in a more sustainable and responsible way. A shared investment commits all
stakeholders to working better and more transparently. Obtaining certification is more than
just a recognition of your commitment to sustainability – it is a powerful tool for building trust across your entire value chain. From suppliers and partners to end consumers, this certification serves as a visible guarantee of your adherence to strict environmental and social standards. By aligning with Ecocert’s globally
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