# COSMOS Organic & Natural - Certification body: ETKO Ecological Agriculture Control Organization - Category: Green Chemistry Certification - Canonical page: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/greenchem/cosmos-organic-natural - Markdown: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/greenchem/cosmos-organic-natural.md ## Summary The COSMOS Organic & Natural standard is the most prestigious international certification ensuring that cosmetic products are produced with environmentally… ## Does ETKO provide COSMOS Organic & Natural certification? Yes. ETKO certifies COSMOS Organic & Natural within its Green Chemistry Certification program. This page covers the standard, the application process, and related documents. ## What is COSMOS Organic & Natural? The COSMOS Organic & Natural standard is the most prestigious international certification ensuring that cosmetic products are produced with environmentally… ## Details # **What is the COSMOS Standard?** Created by the merging of five leading European organic cosmetic certification bodies (BDIH, COSMEBIO, ECOCERT, ICEA, and Soil Association), COSMOS (COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard) is the most comprehensive and globally recognized standard for organic and natural cosmetics. Its primary objective is to promote green chemistry principles, protect human health and the environment, and ensure consumers have access to genuine organic/natural cosmetics without falling into the "greenwashing" trap. The standard rigorously audits the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw ingredients and manufacturing processes to packaging and the final product. ## **Key Technical Criteria of COSMOS Certification** COSMOS offers two different signatures (logos) based on the product's composition and manufacturing methods. The technical framework can be summarized as follows: - **COSMOS ORGANIC:** At least **95%** of the physically processed agro-ingredients (e.g., plant oils, extracts) must be organically produced. - At least **20%** of the total product by weight (including water and minerals) must be organic. (For rinse-off products like shampoos and shower gels, as well as powders, this minimum is **10%**). - **COSMOS NATURAL:** All ingredients must comply with COSMOS rules for natural origin. - There is no minimum requirement for organic content in this category; however, if organic ingredients are used, their percentage can be indicated on the packaging. - **Prohibited Substances and Green Chemistry:** The use of nanomaterials, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, and petrochemical derivatives is strictly prohibited. - Manufacturing processes must adhere to "Green Chemistry" principles, ensuring they do not pollute the environment or harm human health. Irradiation (sterilization via gamma or X-rays) of products is banned. - **Packaging and Environmental Management:** Cosmetic packaging must be made from recyclable, recycled, or biodegradable materials. The use of harmful plastics like PVC is prohibited. - Manufacturing facilities must implement a comprehensive environmental management plan focusing on wastewater management and energy conservation. ## Who this standard is for COSMOS is for cosmetic manufacturers, brand owners, and ingredient suppliers that need an organic or natural cosmetic claim recognised by the COSMOS-standard AISBL scheme. ISO 16128 percentages are not a COSMOS certificate. ## What is certified - COSMOS ORGANIC: ≥95% of physically processed agro-ingredients organic; ≥20% organic of the total product (10% for rinse-off and powders) - COSMOS NATURAL: ingredients meet natural-origin rules with no organic minimum - Ingredient approval (PPAI/CPAI) and formula review before production - Manufacturing, filling, and packaging rules including restricted plastics such as PVC - Environmental management at the manufacturing site ## What this standard does not cover - Household detergents certified under a detergent standard rather than COSMOS - A GOTS textile claim or an organic food claim - ISO 16128 “natural origin index” used as if it were COSMOS ## Questions buyers and operators usually ask ### Can we print COSMOS ORGANIC if organic plant oils are 95% of the oils but water is most of the formula? You still need the total-product organic minimum (20%, or 10% for rinse-off/powders). High organic oils with a water-heavy formula often fail ORGANIC and fit NATURAL instead. ### Is ISO 16128 the same as COSMOS NATURAL? No. ISO 16128 is a calculation guideline, not a third-party certification. Retailers that ask for COSMOS will reject an ISO 16128 self-declaration. ### Are all petrochemicals banned? Most are excluded. A short positive list of petrochemical ingredients (for example some preservatives) may be used within limits. Check each INCI against the COSMOS allowed lists, not against a blog summary. ### Do we need COSMOS if we already have cruelty-free and vegan? Those answer testing and animal-origin questions. COSMOS answers natural/organic chemistry, processing, and packaging. Buyers often want them stacked, not substituted. ## What to have ready before the audit - Full INCI, percentages, and function of every ingredient including water and minerals - Organic certificates for agro-ingredients counted toward ORGANIC - COSMOS approvals or dossiers for chemically processed ingredients - Packaging specifications (material, recyclability, PVC absence) - Manufacturing flow, subcontracted fillers, and environmental records ## Frequent findings - Counting water as organic content - Using a non-approved fragrance or nano ingredient - ORGANIC artwork on a formula that only meets NATURAL - Filler or brand owner missing from the certification scope ## How do I apply for COSMOS Organic & Natural certification with ETKO? Submit an online quote request on the ETKO website: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/greenchem/quote-request ## Application Process At ETKO, we manage your application process transparently, quickly, and clearly. Our process consists of the following steps: 1. **Application and Information Exchange** — We gather preliminary information about your company's structure and production processes. 2. **Proposal and Contract** — We present a detailed proposal for the inspection process and sign a contract upon your approval. 3. **Pre-Audit Preparation** — This is the process of preparing the necessary documentation (chemical inventory, social compliance documents, etc.). 4. **On-Site Audit** — Expert ETKO auditors visit your facility and examine your compliance with the criteria on-site. 5. **Reporting and Certification** — After non-conformities are resolved (if any), the audit report is approved and your certificate is issued. ## Accreditations - GOTS: International Organic Accreditation Service - accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - National Organic Program (NOP): United States Department of Agriculture — NOP accredited certifying agent. - TR Organik & GLOBALGAP & İTU: Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) — Turkey's national accreditation body for conformity assessment. - COSMOS: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - Textile Exchange Standards: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - ISO/IEC 17065:2012: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. ## Countries of operation Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine, Korea, China, Denmark, Germany, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Romania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar ## Where can I find COSMOS Organic & Natural regulations and forms? ETKO's document center lists regulations, application forms, and current guidelines for this standard: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/greenchem/quote-request ## Related pages - HTML: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/greenchem/cosmos-organic-natural - About ETKO: https://www.etko.com.tr/about - Contact: https://www.etko.com.tr/contact - Document center: https://www.etko.com.tr/documents?category=greenchem&standard=cosmos-organic-natural