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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
Non-GMO Project Verified logo
Non-GMO Project Verified
United States · Tier 3 Specialty
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.North America's leading 'no genetically modified organisms' certification. Tests for the presence of GMOs in finished products. NOT organic.
ScopeCosmeticsSeveral categoriesFood
Established2010—2010
InspectionAnnual on-site by COSMOS-accredited certifierNoneAnnual third-party audit + lab testing
Residue testingRisk-basedNoneGMO testing only (not pesticide)
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.
  • Verified absence of GMO ingredients (with action thresholds, not zero tolerance).
  • Annual third-party verification.
  • Tracing and segregation across the supply chain.
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.
  • Doesn't mean organic — Non-GMO products can use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers freely.

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