The international label from the Brussels-based organisation provides guidance for consumers and manufacturers using criteria from NaTrue's scientific committee.
An ingredients database shortly to be launched on the NaTrue website will list raw materials that are NaTrue certified, detailing the raw material’s percentages of natural ingredients, derived natural (nearly natural) ingredients, and nature identical ingredients.
According to NaTrue, as producers of cosmetics need to adhere to minimum and maximum thresholds for natural and natural derived ingredients in order to obtain certification, the database is key in communicating how the raw materials add up to the overall formulation.
Tool for formulators
Julie Tyrrell, NaTrue general secretary told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com that the raw materials certification will simplify for formulators the process of selecting ingredients, as NaTrue conformity eliminates the need for several certifiers to check the same ingredient.
“Without a conformity procedure the producer of cosmetic products has to check the raw material every time - either the certifier or the formulator has to check on a case by case basis,” she said.
“If one of the raw material suppliers says his ingredients are NaTrue compliant, the Certifier no longer needs to check the ingredient and the manufacturer knows if he uses a NaTrue compliant ingredient there will be no bad surprises (i.e. reactions not allowed),” continued Tyrrell.
Obtaining certification of raw materials
The NaTrue label for finished products certifies products according to the categories of natural, natural with an organic portion, and organic.
Certification criteria for raw materials is the same as that for an end product. Only water, natural ingredients, derived natural ingredients and nature identical ingredients are permitted, and the manufacturing process of raw materials is strictly regulated.
Raw material suppliers can directly consult the NaTrue website in order to check that their ingredients meet the criteria. This will then be verified by an independent certifier, and a production audit will take place in order for the final certification to be issued and the ingredient to be included in the online database.