Weblogic

By Joe Valdez

The good news from the Natural Beauty Summit October 2008 in Paris was that after six years of discussion, the most renowned certification bodies in Europe’s organics industry – France’s ECOCERT, Germany’s BDIH and the U.K.’s Soil Association – agreed to consider a mutual standard for labeling all organic or natural cosmetic products.

“Let’s calm down on the infighting and provide a cohesive standard for everyone to win,” pleaded Joe Smillie, senior vice president with NSF, from the floor of the summit. ¹

But on our side of the Atlantic, the debate over a mutual organic standard only appears to be heating up. In the United States, private labels such as OASIS – founded by members of Aveda, Estee Lauder and L’Oreal among others – broke away from the USDA in 2008 to develop their own organic standard. OASIS has since been sued in California Superior Court by family owned Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap, which accuses OASIS, ECOCERT and others of misleading consumers with their organic labeling.

Though the mood may be more conciliatory in Europe, consumers there are no closer to a universal standard in organic cosmetics. April 2009 has been penciled in as the date when the European companies will reach an agreement on which standards will ultimately be adopted. Even if an accord is reached, it may still be two more years before consumers are given organic labels that are consistent from product to product, country to country.

In an effort to make heads or tails of the debate, here’s a guide to the major certification labeling organizations, their supporters and detractors, and what industry experts have to say about these standards.

The smaller it gets, the better it gets. Or so it goes with Microzest 25, the new line of micro powders from LesSonia. As 100% natural plant powders finely milled to less than 25 microns, Microzest 25 offer homogenous and natural color in a variety of shades. Ninety-five percent of these micro powders particles are less than 25 microns in size.

Useful in natural color cosmetics including lip and eye products, these micro powders are also easily dispersible and stable in emulsions. They lend a natural color pigment to any product.

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