Steps taken towards global definition of ‘natural’ cosmetics

By Andrew McDougall

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Personal care Natural cosmetics

Natrue has taken steps towards a globally recognised definition for the use of the term natural in personal care products by partnering with US certifier NSF International.

The two organisations will work together to develop the first American National standard for Natural Cosmetics that will be accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

“There is no globally recognised definition of 'natural' in personal care products,”​ says Julie Tyrrell, Natrue's director general. “That is why Natrue set out four years ago to define strict criteria that are in agreement with consumers' expectations towards authentic natural cosmetics.”

Important step

Natrue states the partnership marks an important step towards international harmonization as well as defining natural in personal care products.

The aim is to eliminate confusion among consumers and make life easier for producers of natural cosmetics who wish to sell their products worldwide.

“It was always important to us that we partner with those that share our high standards of quality and integrity so that people worldwide can enjoy natural cosmetics truly worthy of that name. In this regard, our partnership with NSF International is also recognition for the hard work that we put into the development of our criteria,”​ Tyrrell continued.

Equivalency agreement signed last year

In 2010, Natrue already signed an equivalency agreement concerning products that are certified as Natural Cosmetics with Organic Portion, referred to as products 'containing organic' under NSF/ANSI 305.

Natrue and NSF have now signed an agreement to harmonise the criteria for these two standards in addition to their cooperation on the new American standard for natural personal care.

NSF will develop the new natural personal care standard utilising a consensus-based process that allows for balanced participation from key stakeholder groups, including regulators, personal care manufacturers, trade associations, product retailers and other stakeholders from the natural personal care products community.

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