"Organic Cosmetics", certification status and crac
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free skin care · Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:56 am

As with all cosmetic chemists, I've been following the "Organic" debate very closely. I prefer to formulate with natural and botanical materials. But, I'm still not sold on the whole concept of "organic", so I've been following it very closely to help form my opinion.

Recently, two articles have come out informing us of the current position on global standardization of the "organic" certification. And, recent crackdowns have been imposed on several companies who claim to be "organic" but do not fit any current standard or certification to be organic. So, here is a brief summary of those articles and links to the entire articles so that you can be informed on this issue as well.

Global Certification: Prospects for a global "organic certification appears to be low. Adoption of organic certifications appear to be taking place more on a national level rather than a universal or world wide level. Each of these individual programs vary sometimes significantly and can represent widely different views on the subject. The European certification take up has been much more popular. Ecocert and BDIH have been two of the most popular European programs.

In the U.S. it is quite different and only about 5% of the natural and organic market have taken up certification. Keep in mind, the FDA does not recognize ANY type of "organic cosmetic" certification. They do recognize "organic food" certifications (USDA type), and that is what many in the cosmetic industry have been using (for lack of a real cosmetic certification).

Asia Pacific and Latin America, for the most part, have adopted the European regulations.

The bottom line is competition between the national regulations and the individual certification types may lead to more confusion and ongoing delays in any type of standard "organic" cosmetic certification. So, keep this in mind if you are interested in the concept of "organic cosmetics". There is no one standard for organic cosmetics. In the U.S. the FDA does not even recognize any standard for organic cosmetics. Therefore it is imperative that you check and double check the backgrond and qualifictions of ANY company in the U.S. that claims to be selling "organic cosmetics".

The USDA has been called upon to get tough on the misuse of the term ‘organic’ in personal care and cosmetics products: It has become obvious that there is now a need to crack down on many U.S. cosmetics companies that are claiming to be "certified organic". According to the Organic Consumers Association, a significant proportion of the products using organic in their product title and description are not certified. Not only does this have significant consequences for personal care manufacturers it could also ring the death knoll for other standards bodies that are competing with the USDA to certify the sector. In the meantime, Organic Consumers Association has announced a boycott on brands which have been ‘cheating consumers’ by misusing the term organic including Organics by Noah’s Naturals, Nature’s Gate Organics, Amazon Organics and Avalon Organics.

The bottom line here is simply "buyer beware". The desire to buy "organic" may be misleading at best, and a rip-off at worst in a time when certification is still not standardized.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Products-Markets/Prospects-of-a-global-organics-standard-appear-low/?c=AZRKmMghFomUdrp2lSQ6Mw%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Products-Markets/USDA-asked-to-crack-down-on-use-of-organic-for-non-certified-cosmetics

John

free skin care · Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:59 am

m... don't know why this posted twice. There have been some computer server problems here at the office today. Sorry about that, perhaps the moderators can eliminate one of them...

John

free skin care · Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:43 am

Well incredibly, no sooner have the articles on "organic certified" cosmetics come out... now there is an argument brewing over whether any crackdowns will occur at all!

USDA crackdown on misuse of ‘organic’ not imminent, say standards holders

Several independent organic standards boards are now saying that the National Organics Standards Board has no authority to call for the USDA to crackdown on the misuse of "organic certified" in cosmetics. Therefore, according to the article which I have referenced below, it may take as much as 40 years before there is a truly standard "organic certified" cosmetic regulation in the U.S.!!

As with all things cosmetic, these rules and regulations usually take a back seat to other FDA concerns. It took decades for a Sunscreen Monograph to be finalized!! I expect that this path will be on the slow boat to China as well... so don't hold your breath for truly "organic certified" cosmetics in the U.S. anytime soon.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Products-Markets/USDA-crackdown-on-misuse-of-organic-not-imminent-say-standards-holders/?c=AZRKmMghFon78Gs6NPE42w%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily

John

free skin care · Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:44 pm

An interesting "follow up" article:

http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Products-Markets/Study-reveals-no-growth-in-organic-beauty-products-market/?c=AZRKmMghFolJwj%2BD8s4HoA%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily

Basically, this article written by Katie Nichol and published on CosmeticDesign.com states that there has truly been "no growth" in the organic skin care market over the past year.

An independent study pointed out that very few consumers want to buy "organic" beauty products for 3 main reasons: price, efficacy and low overall importance of organics. Also, The price for non-organic products is often 50 per cent lower than an organic equivalent, with these products being of equal or better quality.

It has always been my opinion that the top, dead layer of skin cells (Stratum Corneum) has no clue, nor does it care, if a natural ingredient, or an organic ingredient is placed on it in the form of a cream or lotion. Therefore, if faced with similar products, one being natural, and the other being organic...if the organic product is much higher priced, go with the natural for an equal function that is a better cost per function.

And, as I have always stated, read the ingredients list and understand the ingredients in the product. Take the "marketing spin" with scepticism and a grain of salt at best...

John

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