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COSMOS-Organic / Natural logo
COSMOS-Organic / Natural
European Union · Tier 2 Trusted
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'Natural' (NOT a certification)
Worldwide · Tier 4 Marketing
Naturland logo
Naturland
Germany · Tier 2 Trusted
What it meansThe leading certification for organic cosmetics in Europe. Two grades: COSMOS Organic (≥95% organic agricultural ingredients) and COSMOS Natural (no organic minimum, but the same restricted-ingredient list).The word 'natural' on packaging is a marketing term, not a certification. In most jurisdictions there's no legal definition, no standard, and no inspection. A product labelled 'natural' can contain synthetic ingredients, pesticides, GMOs, and artificial flavours.A German farmers' association whose private organic standard is stricter than the EU baseline. Covers food, aquaculture, textiles, and cosmetics. Recognised globally.
ScopeCosmeticsSeveral categoriesSeveral categories
Established2010—1982
InspectionAnnual on-site by COSMOS-accredited certifierNoneAnnual on-site by Naturland-accredited inspectors
Residue testingRisk-basedNoneRequired
Guarantees
  • COSMOS Organic: ≥95% organic agricultural ingredients.
  • COSMOS Natural: minimum natural-origin ingredients with banned synthetic restrictions.
  • No GMOs, no parabens, no PEGs, no synthetic fragrances, no SLS/SLES.
  • Biodegradability requirements.
  • Annual on-site audit.
  • Nothing. It is not a certification and there is no body verifying anything.
  • Stricter than EU 2018/848 (lower nitrogen inputs, full-farm conversion, social standards).
  • Annual on-site inspection.
  • Fair-pricing requirements for member farmers.
Does NOT
  • Doesn't certify clinical effectiveness or skin tolerance.
  • Doesn't mean organic. Doesn't mean pesticide-free. Doesn't mean GMO-free. Doesn't mean ethically produced.
  • Some markets (e.g. the US FDA on food, EU on cosmetics) place very limited restrictions on the word, but enforcement is weak.
  • Membership-based — only farms that join the Naturland association can use the mark.

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