Organic spotlight: Azelis earns new COSMOS certification for UK specialities business
The company states it has achieved the COSMOS certification for its UK organic specialties business, an award that replaces the existing Soil Association accreditation.
“COSMOS is important for Azelis since it allows products to be marketed in regions where the previous accreditation is not accepted as an organic certification,” the company explains.
“With this, Azelis can open up new markets and growing sales for the Organic Specialities range.”
Organics and naturals: where are we at?
The enthusiasm for natural and organic skin care products refuses to let up, and indeed, appears only to be growing.
Indeed, according to market research provider Mintel, the trend is even injecting new life into categories and segments that had otherwise become stagnant. The firm points to US facial skin care and anti-ageing as a key example.
“After years of slow but steady growth, the US facial skincare and anti-aging market experienced declining sales in 2015; however, new research from Mintel reveals that interest in natural formulations presents an opportunity for the saturated market, as trusted and easily recognizable ingredients alleviate concerns about chemicals, pollution and unfamiliar ingredients,” it explained in a blog last year.
“Natural formulations have become central to the facial skincare and anti-aging market, as major brands and niche brands alike now feature natural claims on product packaging.”
Why COSMOS?
COSMOS is a new, collaborative effort from five key European organic certification bodies: the Soil Association, BDIH, Cosmebio, Ecocert and ICEA.
Its aim is to remove the requirement for multiple certification costs and site inspections for companies working across the region, and offer a more coherent accreditation for consumers.
According to the organisations, it’s set to be maintained by ongoing assessment and a physical site inspection every year to ensure continued compliance with required standards.
Graham Bott, Azelis Fragrance Ingredients & Organic Specialities Regional Market Manager, explains that Azelis considered the new accreditation important to attain, due to its widely recognised profile, allowing the company greater scope to tap into international markets.
Bott says of the accreditation: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Soil Association COSMOS certification which is internationally recognised. This allows our global sales team to offer our wide range of organic specialities to many countries through the Azelis Own Brands network, as well as promote to a wider range of customers within the UK.”
