Cosmetic product labels

It’s always quite complicated to understand and differentiate between the various labels. In France, there are many of them and a lot are used by brands. What are the different labels? What are they for? And why use them?

So, what are labels for?

A label allows a brand to ensure and guarantee its customers a commitment. It serves as "proof" of this commitment, which can be social and/or ecological.

The label guarantees the conformity of a brand's products according to criteria defined by the chosen label. It meets one or more written standards and is validated by an entity, either a private or a public body. It allows consumers to easily identify the most important criterion for them.

Good to know: a label is awarded by an independent external certifier, which guarantees the reliability of the displayed label.

More and more consumers are looking for labeled products. Whether it's to demonstrate an ecological or social commitment, or for organic products.

Why use labels?

It allows companies to clearly display their messages and ideas in terms of commitment. It is also a good way to ensure transparency with customers, suppliers, and partners. The label will inform about the company's values and commitments.

The use of the label also ensures transparency for suppliers and partners. In addition to allowing consumers and partners to better understand the brand's commitments, the brand undertakes to comply with the specifications of the chosen label. This is a long-term commitment through annual audits and updates of the criteria for obtaining the label.

How and by whom are we labeled?

Being labeled is not to be taken lightly, because as a brand, we must respect a strict set of specifications. A truly recognized label is not something that companies award to themselves. It must be attributed by an external organization.

The use of labels is regulated; a company cannot affix the logo of the chosen label without having validated the different labeling stages.

They are therefore attributed either by a national or international public body, or an accredited private body.

An audit is carried out directly at the company to check labeling, stock compliance (anti-fraud), respect for social values within the company, etc. This audit lasts approximately 3 hours. The company is thus controlled by the certifier each year to verify the conformity of the products and commitments validated the previous year. If certain criteria are not met, the company can modify to comply with the criteria or do nothing but lose the label.

In cosmetics, for example with the COSMOS label, the formulas and technical sheets of each raw material used are studied to be validated or not. The same applies to packaging (primary and secondary) as well as labels to ensure that they do not contain false claims.

The different labels for cosmetic products

Cosmos Organic Label

The most common for cosmetic products is the one issued by Ecocert. It should be known that all products marketed with the Ecocert logo have undergone a strict verification of their composition, from the transformation process to their packaging.

Customers are then guaranteed true transparency on the composition of the products they buy.

A biological composition of at least 20%,
Minimum 95% ingredients of natural origin
Minimum 95% organic ingredients among all ingredients that can be organic
Recyclable packaging,
Production and transformation processes that respect the environment and human health,
Respect for biodiversity and therefore responsible use of natural resources.
Absence of GMOs and petrochemical ingredients (except certain authorized preservatives)

The Cosmos Organic label certifies to customers:

Note: There is also the COSMOS Natural label for products that do not meet organic requirements in formulas but respect other naturalness criteria for raw materials.

Cosmébio Label

Cosmébio is one of the most seen labels on organic cosmetic products and especially the most recognized by consumers. It notably guarantees that the product's composition is natural and organic.

Beyond the formula, the Cosmébio label ensures respect for the environment, social commitments, and responsible communication from the brand.

It should also be noted that Cosmébio is primarily an association. This label is linked to the demanding specifications of the COSMOS label to be able to adhere to and affix the Cosmébio label. It therefore guarantees the same criteria as the COSMOS Organic label.

Slow Cosmétique Label

The Slow Cosmétique Label guarantees a natural product, without synthetic materials, and without controversial compounds for health or the environment. However, this label does not necessarily require organic compositions.

At its creation, this association prioritized showcasing ethical and eco-responsible brands that did not encourage overconsumption (hence the term SLOW).

This Label is based notably on ecology (short cycles, local products, minimally processed ingredients, non-polluting, etc.), and respect for living things (humans, plants, and animals). However, it goes further by taking into account "marketing" and chooses only brands that truly respect the skin and its needs (no creation of needs or products implying new problems) with realistic promises, without greenwashing.

Cruelty-Free Label

The Cruelty-Free label means “without cruelty.” Cosmetics with this label are therefore not tested on animals, certify that no cruelty has been done to animals, and that products and/or ingredients are not tested on animals.

There are still countries (like China) where animal testing is imposed to authorize the marketing of cosmetic products in their countries. In Europe, since 2009, it has been forbidden to sell cosmetic products containing ingredients tested on animals. To reassure customers, brands then place the Cruelty-Free label on their products.

Vegan Label

The Vegan label is used to quickly identify vegan products. A vegan product is a product that contains no animal-derived substances. In France, the Eve Vegan label issues a vegan compliance certificate to audited companies, which grants a limited-time right to use the label.

Please note: At the same time, it is important to be careful and vigilant about "labels" created by the brands themselves. These labels are in no way certified references or even controlled. Most of the time, they are a means of communication and marketing for the brands.

Our choices

Yes, at Cahé, being ethical and sincerely committed to the planet and human well-being is very important. Today, we hold two labels, but above all, we commit every day, from creation to production, to the resale of our products, so that our processes are ethical and eco-responsible.

We currently have the Cosmos Organic label certified by Ecocert, and a second one which is the 1% For The Planet label. We commit to donating 1% of our annual revenue to approved associations. Our goal is to help increase the impact of actions carried out by associations and to increase environmental philanthropy.

We are very happy to be able to certify organic, natural, and environmentally friendly products to you today, and we continue to research to offer you eco-responsible, natural, and effective cosmetics!

Labels in cosmetics are not mandatory; they certify product conformity and compliance with the given specifications. It's a good way for customers to be sure of the products and ingredients they buy.

Finally, a label is a certification obtained based on criteria given by the label itself and supervised by professionals. One might then tend to believe that brands without a label have "no" real commitment. But make no mistake, a brand does not need a label to be committed. Moreover, not all brands can afford to obtain a label, as it can be expensive.

So remember that even if being labeled is proof of a commitment, one can be committed without a label!

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