Germany: Natural Cosmetics Congress 2012

This year´s Natural Cosmetics Congress (picture) has confirmed that consumers and retail are playing a key role in the development of the market. The limits of feasibility in R & D and the relevance of brands and certification labels were examined in lively discussion groups, lectures and Best Practice examples. More than 150 international decision makers from the industry, retail and research met on 25 and 26 September 2012 at the Ellington Hotel Berlin.
 

The morning of the first congress day was reserved for the emerging core markets and the differences on an international level in both market analyses and discussion groups. Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart then questioned existing sustainability concepts in a presentation stimulating contemplation and, based on the concept Cradle to Cradle, prompting a change of thinking. The role consumers play as stakeholders was demonstrated by Deike Schulz of Stenden Hogeschool, who presented new possibilities of social media in communication.
 

Day two began with an additional highlight: Prof. Michael Kolodziej, member of the supervisory board dm-drogerie markt, argued how implemented sustainability becomes a competitive advantage and emphasised the distinct connection between added value and appreciation. The expert panel on consumer protection focused foremost on the question whether a federal certification label is needed. In the afternoon, participants could choose between two topics for the first time: Panel A focused on brands, distribution and retail concepts. Michael Sixt, CEO at plan + impuls, presented the concept of Shoppermarketing as a new integrative approach. Forum B, focusing on research, development and procurement, centered on the limits of feasibility of natural cosmetics. Both panels offered short lectures and Best Practice examples and were open for discussions and participation from the audience.
 

Elfriede Dambacher (picture), CEO at Naturkosmetikverlag in Dortmund, Germany and Program Chairwoman, was pleased with the second edition of the congress at the Berlin location: "International and multi-faceted – thanks to the high-ranking speakers and participants - the Natural Cosmetics Congress again depicted the entire natural cosmetics market and determined the success factors of the future. On both days we were able to illustrate the perspectives, especially with a view towards the POS. Of course we would like to continue in this manner next year. But for now we are very pleased about the positive feedback of the Natural Cosmetics Congress 2012.“
 

Udo Funke, Events Manager at BioFach and Vivaness, was especially pleased about the positive development of the joint event. "The Natural Cosmetics Congress is an important communication platform for the natural cosmetics segment, which is a driver of the international beauty market. During Vivaness in February, the leading fair for natural cosmetics and wellness, and the additional Vivaness Forum, the exchange between raw material producers, producers and retail can be expanded on the Nuremberg Fairgrounds – both events complement each other.“ Vivaness and the parallel forum will offer international players from the segment of natural care another opportunity to meet, exchange and gather information from 13 – 16 February 2013.

The next Natural Cosmetics Congress will take place on 24 and 25 September 2013 at the Hotel Ellington Berlin. Naturkosmetikverlag E.Dambacher, which also publishes trade publications, will be the organiser again. Further information and a download service is available here: www.naturkosmetik-branchenkongress.de, www.naturkosmetik-verlag.de and www.vivaness.de.