Skip to content
Organic.is
All certifications
Side-by-side

Compare certifications.

Up to four certifications, side by side. Choose which ones

 
EU Organic (Euro-Leaf) logo
EU Organic (Euro-Leaf)
European Union · Tier 1 Gold
COSMOS-Organic / Natural logo
COSMOS-Organic / Natural
European Union · Tier 2 Trusted
Bio-Siegel (Germany) logo
Bio-Siegel (Germany)
Germany · Tier 1 Gold
Rainforest Alliance logo
Rainforest Alliance
Global · Tier 3 Specialty
What it meansThe mandatory mark for any pre-packaged organic food sold in the EU. The 'Euro-Leaf' is a stylised leaf made of twelve white stars on a green background.The 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).Germany's national organic mark, owned by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Sits alongside the EU Leaf on most German organic packaging since 2001. Same standard as the EU Leaf — Bio-Siegel is the brand consumers recognise.Sustainable-agriculture certification (post-2020 merged standard with UTZ). Covers environmental, social, and economic criteria. NOT an organic mark.
ScopeFoodCosmeticsFoodFood
Established2010201020011987
InspectionAnnual on-site by accredited control body in producer countryAnnual on-site by COSMOS-accredited certifierAnnual on-site by EU-accredited German control bodyAnnual third-party audit (RA-accredited)
Residue testingRisk-based; mandatory at higher-risk operationsRisk-basedRisk-basedRisk-based
Guarantees
  • At least 95% of agricultural ingredients are organic (regulation EU 2018/848).
  • No synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, no GMOs.
  • Animal welfare standards (outdoor access, lower stocking density, no routine antibiotics).
  • Annual inspection by an accredited control body in the producing member state.
  • Mandatory display of the certifier's code and origin (e.g. 'EU Agriculture' / 'Non-EU Agriculture').
  • 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.
  • EU baseline organic (EU 2018/848).
  • Annual on-site inspection by accredited German certifier.
  • Reduced (not eliminated) synthetic pesticide use, with bans on the most hazardous classes.
  • Forest conservation requirements (no deforestation after the cut-off date).
  • Worker welfare and community development requirements.
  • Annual third-party audit.
Does NOT
  • Doesn't ban the natural pesticides allowed under the regulation (copper sulphate, spinosad).
  • Doesn't certify processed-food additives beyond the EU's permitted list.
  • Doesn't certify clinical effectiveness or skin tolerance.
  • Same standard as the EU Leaf — not stricter.
  • Allows synthetic pesticides — does NOT meet any organic standard. Often confused with organic but it's a different programme.

Choose up to 4 (4 chosen)

That's four — remove one to add another.

  • ACO
  • Bio-Siegel
  • BioGro
  • Canada Organic
  • China Organic
  • EU Leaf
  • India Organic
  • JAS
  • Korea Organic
  • Ø-mærket
  • Orgánico Argentina
  • Orgánico SAGARPA
  • SisOrg
  • Tún
  • USDA Organic
  • AB France
  • Bio Suisse
  • Bioland
  • COSMOS
  • Debio
  • Demeter
  • Ecocert
  • Fair for Life
  • GOTS
  • IBD
  • IFOAM
  • Kilimohai
  • KRAV
  • Luomu
  • NASAA
  • NATRUE
  • Naturland
  • OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton
  • ROC
  • Soil Association
  • EU Ecolabel
  • Fairtrade
  • Non-GMO Project
  • Nordic Swan
  • OEKO-TEX 100
  • Rainforest Alliance
  • 'Natural'

Stay in the loop

Get notified when we publish new articles, updates, and organic guides. No spam, just honest content, straight to your inbox.

Compare certifications · Organic.is