Better promoting organic content
The main change introduced in version 4.2 of the Cosmos standard is the exclusion of water and minerals—ingredients that, by their nature, cannot be certified as organic — from the calculation. This adjustment allows for a more accurate representation of the proportion of organic ingredients and helps highlight the most committed formulations.
Take, for example, a cream made up of 60% water, 5% minerals, and 20% organic ingredients. Previously, its label indicated 20% organic content. Under the new calculation—which now focuses only on the 35% of “certifiable” ingredients—the same cream will display 57% organic ingredients, offering a truer reflection of its composition.
Greenwashing warning
Nicolas Bertrand, General Delegate of Cosmébio, speaking on behalf of the association and the three certification bodies, reaffirmed their united stance: to call out and combat greenwashing, and to protect consumers, public health, and the planet.
"Greenwashing is no longer just a marketing ploy, it is a real danger to health and the environment. Claiming that a product is ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ without proof or a rigorous framework fuels confusion and undermines consumer confidence. That’s why we are calling for stricter rules, backed by legislation, and reminding consumers that certification is currently the only way to offer them a genuine guarantee," said Nicolas Bertrand.
That same day, unveiled a new digital communication campaign aimed at raising public awareness about controversial ingredients found in some cosmetic products.
This is not the first time the association has developed this type of initiative. In 2023, it targeted octocrylene, BHT, dimethicone, PTFE, and resorcinol, and in 2024, PEG and EDTA. This year’s campaign is targeting acrylates, silicones, and PFAS through strong and striking visuals. With this new awareness-raising initiative, Cosmébio intends to reaffirm its role as a whistleblower and reiterate its demand for increased transparency.
