Natural and organic certification for cosmetics in Canada

Natural and organic certification standards for cosmetic products are now available in Canada. According to Brian Lane, the president of Certech Registration Inc, this move places Canada firmly at the forefront of the organic industry. "With this standard we aim to bring clarity to natural and organic cosmetics producers and create trust among consumers."

Through its IOS Cosmetics Standard, Certech is the first North American organization to bring Canadian producers a tool guaranteeing that the claims that are made by certified cosmetics are proven and supported by facts verified through a rigorous and unbiased process.

So far, Canadian cosmetics manufacturers could only resort to Canadian and US regulations which are intended for agricultural products and do not provide specific directions for cosmetics, or to legislation created for the European market.

In order to be certified as natural under the IOS Cosmetics Standard, a minimum of 95% of the product must be of natural origin. Products that obtain certification as organic must also use certified organic ingredients. The standard also addresses the manufacturing process which must not use or produce toxins and other harmful substances, and the packaging of the product must be recyclable. The products themselves and their individual ingredients must not have been tested on animals, must be virtually free of synthetic ingredients, and must not contain pesticides, harmful preservatives, artificial colours and fragrances.

The IOS Cosmetics Standard was created specifically for North America using as reference and conforming to existing European, US and Canadian regulations and legislation while at the same time it addresses all current international requirements.

Certech is a wholly owned Canadian organization offering Quality, Environmental, Health & Safety, Service, Natural & Organic, and Food Safety Management Systems Certification services.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2008/27/c6476.html