ECOCERT vs COSMOS Organic Certification Comparison

When you shop for cosmetics that claim to be organic or natural, you may see labels with words like “ECOCERT” and “COSMOS.” These certifications guarantee the quality of the product – but are they the same thing? Many consumers (and even brands) confuse the two, thinking they are interchangeable. While ECOCERT and COSMOS are closely related, they are not the same.

I will give you a detailed introduction to the history, meaning, connection, and differences between each certification so that you can make an informed choice when buying or creating a product.

What is ECOCERT Certification?

Ecocert SA was founded in 1991. After more than 30 years of development, ECOCERT has set up branches in 27 countries around the world, with business covering more than 150 countries and regions in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, etc., with nearly 2,000 employees, providing services to more than 75,000 companies around the world.

Ecocert was initially mainly engaged in organic agriculture. Still, now it has gradually expanded its business to many other fields, including food and agricultural products, textiles, forest products, cosmetics, detergents, and other household cleaning products.

ECOCERT was a company from the very beginning, and its group logo also represents a sustainable concept. Its strict standards are trusted by brands and consumers.

ECOCERT Certification Standards

ECOCERT offers several certification levels for cosmetics, including “ECOCERT Organic Cosmetics” and “ECOCERT Natural Cosmetics.” To obtain the organic label, the product must meet strict standards:

ECOCERT Certification Types

ECOCERT Natural Certification requires that at least 50% of plant ingredients and 5% of total ingredients come from organic farming.

ECOCERT Organic Certification requires that at least 95% of plant ingredients and 10% of total ingredients come from organic farming.

Synthetic chemicals such as parabens, silicones, and artificial fragrances are prohibited.

What is COSMOS Certification?

COSMOS stands for “COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard,” the world’s most widely recognized natural and organic cosmetics standard. It is managed by the international non-profit independent association COSMOS STANDARD AISBL, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It was jointly founded by five leading European certification bodies, including ECOCERT (France), BDIH (Germany), Cosmebio (France), Soil Association (UK), and ICEA (Italy).

Currently, more than 25,000 products in 84 countries and regions around the world have the “COSMOS ORGANIC” logo; more than 8,300 products have the “COSMOS NATURAL” logo; more than 12,000 raw materials have the “COSMOS CERTIFIED” logo, and more than 10,000 raw materials have the “COSMOS APPROVED” logo.

COSMOS Applicable Objects

The COSMOS standard applies to manufacturers, operators, and brand owners of finished organic or natural cosmetics products and raw materials.

COSMOS Certification Standards

COSMOS Organic Certification: requires at least 95% of plant ingredients and 20% of total ingredients (or 10% for rinse-off products such as shampoo) to be organic.

COSMOS Natural Certification: requires all products to use natural ingredients and meet COSMOS standards but does not require a minimum proportion of organic ingredients

Relationship Between ECOCERT and COSMOS

So, what is the relationship between ECOCERT and COSMOS? Simply put, they are not the same thing, but they are closely related. 

In 2009, ECOCERT and four other European authorities founded the COSMOS AISBL Association and formulated the COSMOS certification standards. The founding members of the association are Germany’s BDIH, France’s Cosmebio, France’s Ecocert, Italy’s ICEA, and the UK’s Soil Association, which aims to promote companies to use organic and natural raw materials and protect consumer health and the environment. ECOCERT is also a third-party certification body approved by COSMOS, and more than 60% of cosmetics worldwide are certified by ECOCERT.

Therefore, ECOCERT can not only issue “ECOCERT Natural” or “ECOCERT Organic” certifications based on independent standards but also “COSMOS NATURAL” or “COSMOS ORGANIC” certifications based on COSMOS standards.

It is worth noting that the COSMOS standard is at the EU level and has a broader impact. Therefore, the ECOCERT Group decided not to update the ECOCERT standard after 2012 and no longer accept certification applications from new customers. It will only maintain the certificates of old customers who insist on continuing to do so. In this way, the COSMOS standard will gradually replace the ECOCERT standard, further strengthening the recognition and market share of the COSMOS standard.

In other words, ECOCERT is both a “player” and a “referee,” while COSMOS is the “rules of the game” it participates in formulating. The COSMOS standard ensures that all certification bodies (including ECOCERT) follow the same principles and requirements to enhance consumer confidence in product quality.

Currently, there are 12 certification bodies authorized to carry out COSMOS standard certification services worldwide, and ECOCERT is one of them. The COSMOS logo is based on the certification body’s logo. Therefore, if you choose a different certification body to apply for COSMOS, the logos you can use will also be different.

Differences and Similarities: ECOCERT vs COSMOS

Differences:

Different identities: ECOCERT is a certification body, while COSMOS is a standard system. So ECOCERT is an implementer, and COSMOS is a rule maker.

Strictness: COSMOS ORGANIC usually has higher requirements than ECOCERT Organic. For example, COSMOS organic certification requires at least 20% of the total ingredients to be organic, while ECOCERT organic certification requires at least 10%.

Scope of application: COSMOS is more international and aims to unify global standards, while ECOCERT focused more on the European market in the early days.

Certification Process

ECOCERT: Ensures that products meet standards through strict ingredient inspections, production process assessments, and packaging inspections.

COSMOS: In addition to ingredients and production processes, it also emphasizes environmental responsibility and transparent labeling

Similarities:

Common goals: Both are committed to promoting natural and organic cosmetics, focusing on sustainability and environmentally friendly production.

Strict restrictions prohibit using harmful chemical ingredients, such as synthetic fragrances and certain preservatives.

Consumer trust: Both ECOCERT and COSMOS are supported by authoritative organizations and are powerful weapons against “greenwashing.”

For a more intuitive comparison, we can use a simple table:

What It Means to Consumers

For the average consumer, ECOCERT and COSMOS are like the “quality guarantee” of the cosmetics world. The market is flooded with products that claim to be “natural” or “organic,” but without certification to back them up, claims are often just empty talk. The emergence of ECOCERT and COSMOS provides a transparent measurement standard to help you avoid the trap of “greenwashing.”

For example, when you see the “COSMOS ORGANIC” logo, you know that this product not only has natural ingredients but also contains a high proportion of organic ingredients. “ECOCERT Natural guarantees the product’s high natural content and environmentally friendly production process. These certifications are backed by more than 30 years of industry experience and global recognition, giving you more confidence when you buy.

Tip: Next time you shop, take a close look at the logo on the packaging. Many products will indicate the percentage of natural or organic ingredients next to the logo, such as “99% natural origin” or “20% organic ingredients,” which will give you a clearer understanding of the product’s true value.

What It Meaning for Brands

For brands, ECOCERT and COSMOS certifications guarantee product quality and safety and are an important tool for enhancing brand image and market competitiveness. By obtaining these certifications, brands can show consumers their commitment to sustainability and environmental protection and win their trust.

Tips: On product packaging, brands can mark the certification logo and indicate the percentage of natural or organic ingredients, such as “95% organic ingredients” or “99% natural origin”. This will not only allow consumers to better understand the product’s value but also enhance the transparency and credibility of the brand.

Conclusion

In general, ECOCERT and COSMOS are not the same: ECOCERT is a long-established certification body, while COSMOS is an international standard created by organizations including ECOCERT. They work together to ensure that cosmetics are not only kind to your skin but also responsible for the earth. Whether you choose products labeled with ECOCERT or COSMOS, you are supporting a more transparent and sustainable beauty industry.

Next time you choose skincare or cosmetics, take a closer look at the logos on the packaging to understand their meaning. If you want to explore further, you can check the brand’s official website or the information of the certification body to learn more about the stories behind these labels. Do you prefer ECOCERT’s independent certification or COSMOS’s global standard?