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'Natural' (NOT a certification)
Worldwide · Tier 4 Marketing
COSMOS-Organic / Natural logo
COSMOS-Organic / Natural
European Union · Tier 2 Trusted
IFM
IFOAM — Organics International
Global · Tier 2 Trusted
What it meansThe 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.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).The international umbrella body for the organic movement. Not a product label — IFOAM accredits other certifiers worldwide via the IFOAM Family of Standards. If a cert is 'IFOAM-accredited' it has been benchmarked to a globally consistent baseline.
ScopeSeveral categoriesCosmeticsSeveral categories
Established—20101972
InspectionNoneAnnual on-site by COSMOS-accredited certifierPeriodic review of accredited certifier bodies
Residue testingNoneRisk-basedDelegated to accredited certifiers
Guarantees
  • Nothing. It is not a certification and there is no body verifying anything.
  • 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.
  • Accredited certifiers meet the IFOAM Norms and the IFOAM Family of Standards.
  • Independent peer review of certifier governance, inspection rigor, and conflict-of-interest controls.
Does NOT
  • 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 certify clinical effectiveness or skin tolerance.
  • Does NOT certify products directly — only certifiers. Look for the underlying national / private mark on the package.

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