Symbol savvy: organic certification explained
We all love a little natural pampering and keeping our skin in tiptop condition.
But, did you know that any beauty product that says it is natural or organic doesn’t
have to be? Within the UK, there is currently no existing government legislation
or definition that states what natural and organic beauty is. So: time for a New
Year and a New You. If you want to be your own organic beauty this year, then why
not become symbol savvy so you can make an informed choice? Jen Marsden writes.
We are what we put on our skin and without certification, beauty brands can dupe
us into thinking that products that have potentially harmful chemicals within them
are in fact natural, animal and eco friendly.
The cosmetics industry has been known to be naughty telling us an ingredient
is safe, only to remove it later when it realises that it has adverse health effects.
That happened with certain phthalates - a group of chemicals used as solvents
or fixatives in our nail polish and perfumes - recently. And, as our products eventually
wash back into the land, organic and natural certification of beauty products not
only protects us, but also the environment.
Ingredient lists on beauty products are confusing and tricky to comprehend with
their Latin lingo: "parfum" could be a cocktail of over 100 chemicals. Existing
bona-fide standards that certify our products do the hard work for us and act as
a guarantee. Standards check that the product ingredients are what the brand says
it is through regular audits and inspections, ensuring transparency from the raw
materials that have been farmed and processed right through to the finished product.
Certain considered permitted synthetic (manmade) ingredients are accepted in certification,
to ensure that products are safe for use, but that is as long as they biodegrade
quickly. However, petrochemical ingredients that make up the most of mainstream
beauty products are never usually accepted in organic and natural certification
as these are not environmentally considerate or beneficial to our skin. The more
stringent standards support localisation too, ensuring fair practice within communities
and preservation of local skill and expertise.
Look out for these logos below to ensure you buy a truly organic or natural beauty
product. And beware of copycat logos!
Soil Association is one of the most stringent organic standards within
the whole world. UK based, it focuses on the management of the soil that grows
many of the ingredients within its certified beauty products, ensuring natural
quality, best practice, and protection of the environment and wildlife. Brands
which certify to this standard and are available at BigGreenSmile.com include
Bentley Organics,
Natracare and
Balm Balm.
www.soilassociation.org
Biodynamic / Demeter is an organic standard association based on biodynamic
agriculture systems founded by Rudolph Steiner. It focuses on natural rather than
synthetic fertilisers, and crops are produced holistically with the help of traditional
knowledge, time and astrological consideration.
Weleda is one example brand that
is certified by the Demeter symbol.
www.demeter.net
Ecocert is an increasingly popular organic agriculture certifying organisation
throughout 80 countries. France-based, it manages the auditing and regulation of
ingredients to its standards.
Evolve Beauty and Melvita are examples of Ecocert
accredited brands.
www.ecocert.com
USDA Organic is an American based and one of few actual government standards
from the United States Department of Agriculture. It covers organic certification
within cosmetics ingredients.
Yes to Carrots is certified to USDA Organic standard.
www.usda.gov
ACO stands for the Australian Certified Organic and is recognised by the
Bud logo and accredits organic operations, appearing on around 70% of all certified
organic products in Australia, including exported products.
www.australianorganic.com.au
BDIH is a label from Germany from the Association of German Industries and
Trading Firms who guarantee natural cosmetics standards.
www.kontrollierte-naturkosmetik.de/e/index_e.htm
Cosmebio is a French based not-for-profit association that represents natural
and organic skin care manufacturers.
www.cosmebio.org
While animal testing and cruelty has been banned in the UK and Europe since 1998,
there are still an estimated 180 million animals that are used in experiments every
year around the world. The following symbols protect the rights of animals
and ensure that no animal derivatives are used within beauty products, whether they
are organic, natural or not. Some brands may use both an animal and organic/natural
standard as extra guarantee.
The BUAV is a UK based pro-animal rights organisation and the bunny logo
is an international independent symbol for cruelty free products.
Avalon Organics,
Burt’s Bees and
Jason Natural Cosmetics are example brands that wear the bunny logo.
www.buav.org
The Vegan Society is a UK based membership organisation that allows brands that
have vegan products and are cruelty free to carry its logo.
Incognito is one brand
example that is registered by the Vegan Society.
www.vegansociety.com
The Vegetarian Society is another UK based membership organisation that allows
vegetarian approved products to carry its logo, including on beauty products. The
male grooming brand
Bulldog is Vegetarian Society approved.
www.vegsoc.org
