EU funds program for Thai cosmetics manufacturers
The EU donated 80 per cent of the total budget for the program, which was funded with close collaboration between the Thai-Italian and Franco-Thai chambers of commerce.
SCRIPT was proposed and managed by Italian-based non-profit organization Bioagricoop. The project began in January 2011 and concluded in a seminar on June 12 2013.
26 Thai companies competed to take in the project. The five firms which reached the certification stage were I Plus Q Co, Puri Co, Make Scent Co, Flavour Pro Co, Ltd and Nature Touch International Co.
The NATRUE standard, widely recognized as the strictest measure in terms of cosmetic product quality, was used to evaluate the firms’ products. Each company developed a specific brand to be certified.
SCRIPT was described as “a successful experience for both Thai companies and European counterparts.”
Joint statement
The Thai-Italian and Franco-Thai chambers of commerce released a joint statement about the project: "In parallel with [the trend towards increasing consumer demand for] green and natural products, being able to offer certified products is an added value which can help increase selling prices."
"In the context of ASEAN where free flow of products will be effective in 2015, Thai farmers and manufacturers of certified products can be competitive in terms of product quality where price is not the only main criterion for purchasing.
“This will help them earn a better living [and] help the economy of the country as a whole."
SCRIPT
According to the project website, the aim of SCRIPT is to: “reassure consumers that Thai products, that meet International standards, are safe, efficient and good for the environment, thus enhancing Thailand trade potential.”
The SCRIPT team also stated that the project will help foster co-operation and improve relations between the two countries.
Bioagricoop
SCRIPT project manager Giovanni Galanti said: “The aim of this project was to get these companies certified to third-party standards, to improve the nature of products of these companies and to improve their marketing potential in these EU markets.”
“The companies involved are big producers of cosmetics, but they also create traditional local products such as those used in spas and Thai massage.”
Galanti also suggested that Bioagricoop would be interested in creating a similar program with EU funding in 2014.
