The NaTrue label, currently in competition with the COSMOS-Standard to become the international standard for natural and ecological cosmetics, advances an additional milestone by announcing a recently signed agreement with the UEBT (Union for Ethical BioTrade) organization. The purpose of this agreement is first and foremost to promote fair trade in cosmetic ingredients derived from biodiversity. But also to assert a little more its influence throughout the world.
In a press release dated March 10, 2011, NaTrue and the UEBT announce that they have signed this agreement to “contribute to bringing attention to the importance of the’natural’ traceability of cosmetic products and the ethical trade in natural ingredients derived from biodiversity. This collaboration,” specifies the text, “will allow to improve the work of the UEBT and NaTrue towards more accountability in supply chains, more transparency for consumers, and support for international targets to curb biodiversity damage.”
According to Julie Tyrell, Managing Director of NaTrue, “UETB members are committed to sourcing ingredients in a way that preserves biodiversity and respects traditional knowledge, while sharing the benefits with those who harvest them. These are values close to what is at the heart of the natural and organic cosmetics sector. The more our sector develops, the more important this aspect becomes. This is a great opportunity to promote biodiversity and we have decided to work together to do so.”
UEBT Executive Director Rik Kutsch Lojenga, considering the increased consumer demand for natural and organic cosmetic products and the fact that companies are increasingly seeking to use ingredients derived from natural resources, adds that “if it is part of an ethical and …