The Ecocert standard is based on a few basic principles:
• Favour the natural origin of the raw materials used over any other origin
• Choose ingredients from organic farming
• Communicate to the consumer in a way that does not mislead him
• Apply the precautionary principle as soon as the scientific community raises questions about respect for the consumer or the environment

In concrete terms, this means rules on the minimum percentages of ingredients of natural origin and which must be present in the finished product, requirements concerning their method of production, their quality, their degree of purity and the manufacturing processes of the product. Thus, in particular, ionizing treatments or GMOs are prohibited, the processes for obtaining raw materials may be physical or chemical, but are included in a restrictive list that includes only the least polluting.

The Ecocert standard also prohibits the use of ingredients from animals (living or dead), with the exception of those produced naturally by animals and whose collection is not harmful to them (eggs, milk, honey…). It also prohibits a large proportion of synthetic ingredients (colourants, perfumes, antioxidants, silicones, petrochemical ingredients, etc.), although it allows up to 5% in the finished product, when they are considered indispensable.

It thus defines a restrictive list of some fifteen authorised synthetic ingredients, including six preservatives.

Beyond the regulatory declaration of ingredients under their official name defined by the nomenclature INCI, the Ecocert standard also encourages manufacturers to offer their translations into French.

Ecocert can certify compliance with all organic cosmetics charters, but its brand (Ecocert Greenlife) is mainly found on products labelled Cosmébio, Cosméco and COSMOS-Standard.

To go further
• See the Ecocert website