A little more than one year after the launch of the Being certification, which aims at promoting Spa centres that have committed themselves in comprehensive environmental practices, Ecocert Greenlife, the French specialist of organic and ecological certifications, is adjusting the certification process.
The main change consists in the set up of a support program to support the certification applicants. “The aim is to help candidate spas to meet the criteria for certification. We found that today, there hardly any spas that are able to meet the criteria the first certification level, especially with regard to the percentage of organic products used during treatments or offered for sale," explains Valérie Lemaire, General Manager at Ecocert Greenlife.
The support program provides a two-year delay for candidate spas to meet the certification first level criteria. During this period, they have access to services offered by Ecocert, including self-assessment tools.
Let’s remind that the Being label is designed for urban spas (day spas) as well as for destination spas (hotel spas, thalassotherapy and balneotherapy centres) and beauty salons offering spa services. Certified criteria focus on three fields:
– Products. A minimum organic and ecological offer is required for cosmetics proposed for sale as well as those used for treatments, for offered or sold meals, cleaning products, textiles, and home fragrances,
– Services. Staff’s competence, treatment protocols with a minimum of organic or ecological cosmetics, traceability, comfort and evaluation of the clients overall well-being,
– Site. Each venue should have set up an environmental management policy concerning water and energy uses, reduction and treatment of wastes and discharges.
The label features three levels: Level 1, Level 2 or "Excellence" and level 3 or "Jury Prize".
