Certification Savy: EcoCert

You've maybe seen the logo and heard the name, but do you know what EcoCert certification really means?  Here's a little info to keep you in the know, because remember while reading labels for ingredients and chemicals is good thing, it always helps to understand what certain labels mean!


EcoCert is similar to the USDA Organic Certification & National Organic Program but it is based in Europe. Unlike the USDA, Ecocert, which was founded in 1991, currently offers its services of inspection and certification in more than 80 countries on all continents and employs over 350 people worldwide. They certify over 70% of all the French producers. They partner with groups and organizations who are involved in the sustainable environment movement, a very important factor in the certification process. Are the certified ingredients we use sustainable resources? The answer should be yes. They are very concerned about the Environment, REACH, Green Chemistry and Cancer-causing materials.

Strictly a testing and certification organization, Ecocert is accredited by COFRAC, the French Accreditation Committee, which demands independence, competence and impartiality. They follow ISO guidelines. Although based in France, they are not a government agency like the USDA. The core business of Ecocert is to give a guarantee on strict compliance with the specifications applicable to products, systems and services. Certification by Ecocert represents a guarantee for the consumer or the end user.

What can I expect from an EcoCert Certified Product?

Its "Eco" label requires that 95% of a product's ingredients are natural or from natural origin, that a minimum of 50% of those natural ingredients are certified organic. 

Ecocert's more rigorous "Bio" Label requires the same 95% of ingredients to be natural or from natural origin, and that 95% of those natural ingredients are certified organic. 

Both labels prohibit the use of synthetic colorants, perfumes, anti-oxidants, emollients, mineral oils, silicone, parabens, petrochemicals or animal products. EcoCert only allows a 5% maximum of other approved synthetic ingredients. The agency also analyzes a producer's manufacturing process, from the transportation and storage of ingredients and products to energy use and waste disposal. Animal testing is prohibited and the manufacturing processes must be simple, non-polluting, allowing the achievement of products as biodegradable as possible and the preservation of the qualities of the raw materials

The packaging must observe the strictest respect to the environment using recyclable formats, with minimum energy consumption. Primary packaging containing PVC and polystyrene foam are prohibited.

For more information on EcoCert visit:
http://www.ecocert.com/-Cosmetics-.html