One was on the verge to think that the interplanetary rocket launched by the European organic cosmetics labelling bodies was lost in the Cosmos maze, that the so often heralded and waited for COSMOS-standard had dissolved in star dust, such as the dust spread by its main competitor, NaTrue. Not at all, we are told! Do you believe it? We are now told that COSMOS-standard is set for soon!
It has been announced for tomorrow, then for the day after, then for now, then… we went to say nothing while numbering days, weeks, years, and waiting for the first example of the COSMOS-Standard on the labels of our cosmetics.
Nothing yet in sight, and yet… During a press conference held by Cosmebio (the Professional Association of Ecological and Organic Cosmetics) to celebrate its ten years of existence, the question got an absolute answer: the moment is coming quickly!
As a reminder: the COSMOS-Standard shall be the culmination of a (long) harmonization process between the different labels that govern natural and organic cosmetics in Europe. Only one repository, and common technical criteria shall allow for the standardizing of the solutions and for a better understanding of the message y consumers.
Around the negotiation table, Cosmébio, BDIH, Ecocert, Icea and Soil Association: discussions have been long (the work began in 2002), often harsh (leading to the secession of some actors, which launched the NaTrue label), and, additionally, of a high technical level.
A document (still available only in English) has finally been published a year ago, the statutes are filed, the certification bodies are approved… and the certification processes have begun. …