Chicago, May 8, 2009 (word count: 437) 

Since its creation, Ecocert is actively involved in environment protection and social responsibility. Its wide range of products and services — organic cosmetics, fair trade products, organic textiles, organic farming and inputs, ecological green spaces, organic home fragrance and cleaning products — makes this French company a key actor in sustainable development.

As an international certification body, Ecocert has been accredited to ISO Guide 65 by internationally recognized governmental authorities, ensuring complete confidentiality, independence, impartiality, and competence in the delivery of its certification services. The Ecocert name and seal are registered trademarks worldwide, and trusted by consumers, businesses, industry, and governments.

The Ecocert Standards for Natural and Organic Cosmetics were released in 2002 following a two-year-long consultation process involving scientists, consumers, industry leaders, and governmental representatives. It is legally registered and its implementation is overseen by governmental authorities. The main objectives of the Ecocert Standards are to define and promote a higher level of quality for cosmetics in general, to maximize the use of organic ingredients, and to ensure the optimal usage of true natural ingredients and ingredients from natural origin by setting minimum content requirements.

The standards cover key points that need to be fully evaluated and approved in order to achieve certification. These include: ingredients, processing aids, formulations, manufacturing equipment and processes, packaging material and usage, labels and marketing material, quality assurance and control, storage and handling practices, sanitation chemicals and practices, environmental stewardship, and record keeping.

Manufacturers, distributors, brand owners, and any operator wishing to use the Ecocert name on labels and marketing material must apply to and be duly inspected and certified by Ecocert.

Above all, Ecocert-certified cosmetic products give a guarantee to consumers, not only in the organic ingredients contents, but also in the strict choice of all the other ingredients according to environmental criteria, recyclable packing,  an audited traceability, manufacturing and distribution processes.

Ecocert is the only certification body that demands the display of the real organic percentage with an explication of its calculation.

The Standards are internationally recognized of the fact:
• That it has been exclusively developed for cosmetics, and therefore it is not an adaptation of a food regulation (that is, the main ingredient in a cosmetic product is the water, then there are processed ingredients and organic ingredients)
• That it has been developed along with scientists, consumers, industry leaders and governmental representatives
• That it is controlled by specialist chemical engineers

The preparation of the Cosmetics European Standards (COSMOS) was based on these Standards.

 For more information, please contact: 

 ECOCERT (France)
Julie Basdevant 
Communications
B.P. 47 – 32600 L’Isle Jourdain – FRANCE
Tel.: +33 (0)5 62 07 34 24
E-mail: julie.basdevant@ecocert.com
Web: www.ecocert.com

or:

 FRENCH TECHNOLOGY PRESS OFFICE
205 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3740
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 327-5260
E-mail: contact.ftpo@ubifrance.fr 

Related posts:

1. Natural Cosmetics Ingredients from France Coming to Suppliers’ Day Show in New Jersey this May (A032)
2. Pure Fun Organic Candy canes brings a smile to millions this Christmas
3. Mom’s Skincare Announces an Expansion into Traditional Distribution Channels
4. Cosmetics: New Chanel Makeup Information Site Launched