Natural cosmetics & co.
Major quality seals and labels
Fair Trade
Fair Trade guarantees that raw materials have been produced in compliance with international standards. In addition, the producing families receive a guaranteed minimum wage for their yield, irrespective of the global market price. The added value is used to improve local infrastructures, education and healthcare.
Ecocert
Ecocert is the largest organisation for environmental control and certification. Since 2002, cosmetics have also been subjected to testing for ecological and organic quality and can be certified with two seals: 'Ecological and organic cosmetics' and 'Natural cosmetics'.
Ecolabel
Ecolabel is the environmental label for ecological products from the European Union. This quality seal is given to products that have only a minimal impact on the environment, after their entire life cycle has been evaluated: from procurement of the raw materials to manufacturing and marketing, including packaging and the use of the product until its disposal.
Nordic Swan
The Nordic Swan Ecolabel is the official Ecolabel of the Nordic countries and was established in 1989 by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It was initiated as a practical tool for consumers to help them actively choose environmentally-sound products. Today there are 63 product groups, and companies who have products within these groups and who meet the criteria requirements, can apply for a Nordic Swan Ecolabel licence.
ISO 14001
Sustainable economic management through environmental management. Since 1996, the ISO 14001 standard has formed the basis for the structure, implementation, monitoring and further development of environmental management systems. It specifies the corresponding requirements that are applicable to organisations of any type or size and also to various geographical, cultural and social conditions. The overall objective is to support environmental protection and reduce environmental pollution – in harmony with economic, social and political needs. At the same time, ISO 14001 is also the basis for the certification of environmental management systems.
k.b.A.
k.b.A. is the German abbreviation for 'kontrolliert biologischer Anbau' which means 'certified organic'. Certified organic raw materials are the basis for eco-friendly production methods whilst observing the principles of ecology and environmental protection. Organic farming foregoes the use of certain pesticides, mineral fertilisers, growth enhancers and genetic technology.
GoGreen
GoGreen is a 'carbon neutral' service for letters and parcels offered by the German Post Office.
FSC
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) seal promotes environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically sustainable forestry. FSC-certified products contribute towards the responsible management of global forest resources.
