FAQs

Do you have questions about Beauty & Wellbeing certification? 

Scan our frequently asked questions page below, or get in touch with us to request an application form.

Beauty & Wellbeing Certification

1. Is organic and natural Beauty & Wellbeing certification mandatory?

   Unfortunately, it is not mandatory to undergo certification for organic beauty and wellbeing products.

   However, certification ensures that you can substantiate organic claims and provide consumer clarity.

   The application process varies on a case by case basis, however, our aim is to have businesses certified within 3 months.

2. What is greenwashing?

   Greenwashing is a misleading term used by companies that promote the environmental and ethical benefits of a product, service or company practise.

   There are no regulations around using the term for natural or organic for cosmetic products. We work hard to raise awareness of greenwashing in the cosmetics industry to provide clarity for the consumer.

What is COSMOS Certification?

1. What is COSMOS and what role does the Soil Association play within it?

   The Soil Association charity is a founder member of the COSMOS-standard. 

   COSMOS was founded in 2010 by the Soil Association and other leading organic organisations in the industry, with the aim of creating a harmonised international standard for the certification of organic and natural cosmetic products and creating a less confusing market for consumers.

   Soil Association Certification is one of the certification bodies able to provide certification and business support for this standard.

2. Are Soil Association beauty & wellbeing licences recognised by COSMOS?

   No, something that is organic on a Soil Association beauty & wellbeing licence is not considered organic for COSMOS.

   You can tell beauty & wellbeing licences by the certificate licence number, which will have a ‘DJ’ or ‘H’ prefix.

3. What is the difference between COSMOS Organic and COSMOS Natural?

   Organic is at the heart of everything we do, we recognise that there is a demand for natural products, so to address this we also offer COSMOS natural certification.

   The COSMOS Natural products do not have to contain any organic ingredients – although in practice many do.

   COSMOS Natural is most suitable for products containing a lot of ingredients which cannot be a result of organic farming, such as water, salt or clay – for example, toners, bath salts or face masks.

4. Who needs to be certified?

   Manufacturers and brand holders of COSMOS products have to be certified.

   Also, anyone that wants to sell ingredients with some organic content needs to be certified (if the ingredients are also food grade it is an option to get a food organic licence as this certification is also acceptable into the COSMOS supply chain).

5. Why does COSMOS permit the use of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil?

   Due to the growing global concern and urgent need to protect the planet from irresponsible deforestation, COSMOS believe that the organic and natural cosmetics industry should take responsibility for the sourcing of palm oil and palm kernel oil, to ensure as best we can that the environment is not being harmed.

   COSMOS carried out some research on the availability of palm and palm kernel oil derivatives and decided to introduce a new standard on CSPO palm derivatives, which took effect on 1^st January 2019.

   Note that COSMOS would prefer all ingredients from palm and palm derivatives from organic sources but at present, this is not possible due to availability.

General stand-alone service

1. How do I use the Soil Association Certification Portal?

   The Soil Association Certification portal is a central online system where you can manage your organic certification, respond to audit requirements and submit certification forms.