The partnership is a strategic move for Natrue, ensuring it a firm footing in the fast-growing and expansive Balkan market, which encompasses countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia and Greece, with a combined population of 60 million people.
The papers to confirm that Biotechnicon has joined the Natrue network were signed at Vivaness 2014, the international trade for natural personal care products that was held in Nuremberg, Germany, last month.
Partnership offers bridge to Balkan countries
Speaking about the partnership, Ana Marusic, director of Biotechnicon, said that it offered an opportunity for both Croatian cosmetic and personal care players, together with companies throughout the Balkan region, the opportunity of support for natural and sustainable certification.
"Companies can certify locally with us and benefit from a trustworthy label for natural and organic cosmetics recognized by consumers at international level," she said.
In October last year the Natrue Accrditation programme became successfully operational, giving the body the opportunity to expand it certification programme system worldwide.
Natrue accreditation extends its reach
"To date Natrue can count on 23 Natrue Approved Certifiers from 12 different countries and we continue to receive new requests. With the Natrue Label growing at an average of 75 new products p/month it is not surprising that Certification Bodies are interested in certifying according to our scheme," said Francesca Morgante, Natrue label manager.
In an effort to further extend its international scope, Natrue has been partnering with IOAS, an ecolabel dedicated to the global agricultural sector, in an effort to extend the recognition of its accreditation programme.
This partnership combines Natrue’s expertise in the cosmetics and personal care sector, with the expertise of IOAS in the wider agricultural area, ultimately providing a wider reach for its accreditation.
In accordance with this, existing Natrue approved certifiers are expected to switch to the new accreditation system, with the first wave of new accreditation expected to come at the beginning of 2015.