Certifications

The Natural Cosmetics Association of the BDIH* has defined the term “natural cosmetics”, setting out the minimum criteria which a product has to meet. A manufacturer must apply for each of his products to be tested individually and usage of the BDIH seal is permitted only if a given product successfully passes inspection.

The guidelines are designed to monitor the quality and origin of raw materials, “ethical” behaviour towards people, animals and environment and the use of synthetic ingredients.

We are happy to include a copy of the pamphlet “Naturally beautiful with quality controlled natural cosmetics”** with your order, which offers an overview of the above regulations.

*Bundesverband deutscher Industrie- und Handelsunternehmen für Arzneimittel, Reformwaren, Nahrungsergänzungsmittel und Körperpflegemittel e.V.
** currently only available in German language version

 

 
Guidelines



 
1. Raw materials obtained from plants


As far as possible, raw materials obtained from plants should be used from:
- controlled biological cultivation, taking quality and availability into account, or
- controlled biological wild collections

 
2. Animal Protection


- No animal testing may be performed or commissioned when end products are manufactured, developed or tested.
- Raw materials that were not available on the market before 01.01.1998 may only be used if they have not been
tested on animals. This does not include animal testing performed by third parties who neither
were ordered/prompted by the ordering party to do so nor are associated to the ordering
party by company law or by contract.
- It is prohibited to use raw materials obtained from dead vertebrates (e.g. spermaceti,
terrapin oil, mink oil, marmot fat, animal fats, animal collagen or living cells).

 
3. Raw materials obtained from minerals


The use of inorganic salts and raw materials obtained from minerals is generally permitted, except for those listed in point 5

 
4. Raw materials with restricted use


For the production of natural cosmetics, it is permissible to use components which are extracted
through hydrolysis, hydrogenation, esterification, transesterification or other crackings
and condensations from the following natural materials
- fats, oils and waxes
- lecithins
- lanolin
- monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides
- proteins and lipoproteins
The actual raw material use is regulated by the positive list for development and production of certified natural cosmetics.

 
5. Deliberate rejection of


- organic-synthetic dyes
- synthetic fragrances
- ethoxylated raw materials
- silicones
- paraffin and other petroleum products
criterion which determines which aromatic substances are permitted is ISO 9235.

 
6. Preservation


To ensure that products are microbiologically safe, certain nature-identical preservatives
are allowed in addition to natural preservatives. These are:
- benzoic acid, its salts and ethylester
- salicylic acid and its salts
- sorbic acid and its salts
- benzyl alcohol
When these preservatives are used, products must be labelled
Òpreserved with ... [name of preservative]Ó

 
7. No radioactive radiation


It is forbidden to disinfect organic raw materials and
completed cosmetic products using radioactive radiation.

 
8. Certified Natural Cosmetics


A neutral control body checks that the above criteria are complied with.
The association's label is used to indicate that the criteria have been complied with.
 



Further goals:



 
Raw material requirements


- traceable production using clear processes
- education of consumers

 
Disapproval of genetic engineering


Clear opposition to raw materials extracted from genetically modified plants or animals.
As genetic engineering is a controversial issue in agriculture and is not justified
ecologically, biological cultivation is supported and genetic engineering is actively rejected.

 
Ecological compatibility


- only natural sources of raw materials, if possible certified by
the EG-Bio-VO (EG regulation of ecological cultivation)
- environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes
- optimal degradability of raw materials and finished products
- economical, environmentally-friendly and recyclable packaging
- maintenance of natural life principles

 
Social compatibility


- raw materials from fair trading and Third World projects
- use and disposal
- cooperation