If you work in cosmetics or personal care, you’ve almost certainly come across the COSMOS signature on products and raw materials. It’s become one of the most recognised standards for natural and organic cosmetics globally, and it’s growing quickly. Over 54,400 products and raw materials now carry a COSMOS signature across 80 countries, and uptake is no longer limited to indie or niche brands. Premium and mass market companies are increasingly seeking certification.
What is COSMOS?
COSMOS (COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard) is an international certification managed by a non-profit association, consisting of 12 international certification bodies including Ecocert, the Soil Association and ICEA. It sets clear criteria for what qualifies as a genuine organic or natural cosmetic, covering ingredient sourcing, processing methods, manufacturing, packaging and environmental impact. Products can be certified as COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL, and raw materials can carry the COSMOS CERTIFIED or COSMOS APPROVED signature.
The standard prohibits animal testing, nanomaterials and GMOs, and requires that ingredients are of natural origin with limited exceptions. For consumers, it cuts through the noise of vague “natural” marketing claims and provides an independently verified guarantee.
Why it matters for brands
The growth of COSMOS reflects a broader consumer shift. People want to know what’s in their products, how it was sourced, and whether the claims on the label can be trusted. Research shows that ‘greenwashing’ is increasingly being called out by consumers, retailers and regulators alike. The EU’s Green Claims Directive is tightening the rules around environmental and sustainability claims, and COSMOS certification provides a robust, audit-backed defence against accusations of ‘greenwashing’.
For brands developing natural and organic products, or ingredient suppliers seeking to position their materials for this market, COSMOS certification is becoming less of a differentiator and more of an expectation.
Where testing fits in
Whether a product is COSMOS certified or not, it still needs safety and efficacy data. Being organic and natural does not automatically equate to ‘safe’. Skin irritation, eye irritation, sensitisation, mildness, antioxidant activity, collagen boosting: these are the same endpoints regardless of whether your formulation is conventional or certified organic.
What changes is the expectation around how that testing is done. Brands that have invested in COSMOS certification, that have built their identity around natural ingredients, ethical sourcing and sustainability, naturally want their testing to reflect those same values. Testing methods that are animal-free, human-relevant and aligned with cruelty-free and vegan principles are a logical fit for products that already carry the COSMOS signature.
At XCellR8, all of our testing is completely free of animal-derived products, from the culture media to the final report. For COSMOS-certified brands, that means the testing process is consistent with the values their certification represents. No compromise at any stage.
If you’re COSMOS certified or working towards it
We work with brands and ingredient suppliers across the natural and organic space, providing both regulatory safety testing and cosmetic claims and efficacy testing. If you’re looking for a testing partner whose approach aligns with your certification, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at info@x-cellr8.com.
———
Contact us if you’d like to learn how you can support our mission, become a corporate sponsor or donate to our crowdfunder.
Email info@x-cellr8.com
Call +44 (0)1925 607 134.
Follow Us!