The creation of NATRUE
In a context where cosmetics regulations were becoming ever more complex, authentic natural and organic cosmetic SMEs needed guidance and a harmonised advocacy voice that could raise their concerns at international regulatory decision-making level. The need for better regulation for natural and organic cosmetic products, particularly linked to the lack of an international definition of Natural and Organic Cosmetics (NOC), and the raise of greenwashing in the NOC sector brought NATRUE’s founding members (WALA, Weleda, Laverana, PRIMAVERA, LOGOCOS and CEP) together and led to the creation of NATRUE in 2007. Over 15 years later, NATRUE has consolidated its position as an international representative body which advocates for the protection and promotion of true natural and organic cosmetics worldwide.
Since its inception, NATRUE has worked for better regulation for natural and organic cosmetic products and has actively advocated for an official definition of natural and organic cosmetics, which is very much needed to effectively combat greenwashing and misleading claims in the NOC sector.
Pending a strict regulatory definition for natural and organic cosmetic products, NATRUE’s founding members, the pioneers and largest producers of authentic natural and organic cosmetic products in Europe, acknowledged the need for an international and independently certified standard setting rigorous and transparent label criteria to reassure consumers and assist producers. This initiative resulted in the launch of the NATRUE Label in 2008 and the creation of NATRUE’s Secretariat that same year.
The NATRUE Label: our guarantee
Upon its creation, the main objective of NATRUE’s label criteria was to set and build strict requirements for natural and organic cosmetic products, particularly for organic cosmetics, packaging and products’ formulations which could not be found in other labels. The NATRUE Label goes hence further than other definitions of “natural cosmetics” established in Europe in terms of consistency and transparency. Since 2008, the NATRUE Label has developed, grown and expanded across Europe and worldwide, and has consolidated its position in the NOC sector as an international benchmark for authentic natural and organic cosmetic products.
NATRUE in figures
- More than 6,400 products certified with the NATRUE Label on the market;
- Over 280 brands trust the NATRUE Label for the certification of their natural and organic cosmetics;
- Over 65 members worldwide.
On top of being a high-quality benchmark for producers, NATRUE’s label is also a guarantee of transparency and reliability for consumers as it helps them to easily identify true natural and organic cosmetic products, contributing to keeping greenwashing off the shelves.
You can check all NATRUE’s certified products in NATRUE’s database and find out more about our work in our latest Annual Report, available here.
a brief history of NATRUE: Timeline
Foundation of NATRUE
Creation of the NATRUE Standard and Label
First NATRUE-certified product on the market
NATRUE becomes a non-profit association (AISBL)
NATRUE joins Thailand-EU Cooperation project SCRIPT.
- The project’s goal was to increase Thai trade potential through the correct implementation of self-control and third-party certification procedures inspired by the EU approach.
Participant in EU-funded Organic for Surfactants project (O4S), in public consultations and EU multi-stakeholder meetings on Fragrance Allergens.
- The project addressed a critical need of the EU natural cosmetic sector, which lacked a sustainable source of surfactants that can both be considered as natural and certified of organic origin.
- Launch of the accreditation program with IOAS (International Organic Accreditation Service)
- EU-funding for joint NATRUE-BNAEOPC (Bulgarian National Association Essential Oils, Perfumery and cosmetics) initiative to provide scientific and regulatory training (Bulgaria)
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- NATRUE and Pfeiffer Consulting helped Bulgarian cosmetics companies to produce authentic Natural and Organic Cosmetics according to the NATRUE Label Criteria through the exchange of best practices and providing technical know-how and training.
- Member of EU Commission’s Working Group on Cosmetics
- European Parliament event: announcement of GfK consumer study: “Exploring the territory of natural and organic cosmetics”
- IBD Agreement (Brazilian certification body)
- Round-table member of “Keeping GMO’s out of Organics” project by IFOAM-EU
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- The project aimed to develop new practical strategies and to strengthen the current legal frameworks to protect the GMO-free food chain against GMO contamination.
- Member of EU Commission‘s sub Working Group on claims.
- Contributions to technical guidance on claims and 48th Amendment to IFRA Standard.
- Official sponsor of VIVANESS, the International Trade Fair for Natural and Organic Personal Care.
- Accepted as liaison officer between CEN/TC 392 (Cosmetics) and CEN/TC 411 (Bio-based products)
NATRUE 10th Anniversary
+ 5000 NATRUE-certified products- Member of IFOAM EU non-food Task Force
- Contribution to 49th Amendment to IFRA Standard
- NATRUE becomes a partner of the EU-funded industry consortium initiative, URBIOFIN
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- The project aims to transform the organic part of municipal solid waste into biobased products, including product packaging, in order to move towards a more sustainable bioeconomy.
+70 NATRUE Members globally
- Contribution to SCCS Opinion on QRA2
+ 6000 NATRUE-certified products
- NATRUE’s new website and online database
- NATRUE became a Partner of the Consumer Information for SCP (One Planet Network), a programme that implements and supports projects, undertakes research and identifies and encourages policies and collaboration opportunities for stakeholders looking to engage and assist consumers in sustainable consumption.
- New NATRUE Raw Materials Scheme
- NATRUE becomes a member of RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil)
- NATRUE joins the Affiliate Board of the British Beauty Council (UK)
- Data to the SCCS in defence of genistein and daidzein in collaboration with UNITIS (European organization of Cosmetic ingredients industries and services)
- NATRUE become sponsor of the Information Network Department of Dermatology (IVDK)
- NATRUE joins the Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) Steering Committee
- NATRUE joins in Amazon‘s Climate Pledge Friendly Certifications
- NATRUE publishes its new consumer study into greenwashing
- NATRUE launches its Third-Party Manufacturers Page
NATRUE 15th Anniversary
- NATRUE celebrates the first International Day of Natural Cosmetics
- NATRUE publishes its new consumer study into digital labelling
- NATRUE joins the Eco Beauty Score Consortium
- NATRUE signs a collaboration agreement with COSlaw, the Information Platform on the EU Cosmetics Regulation.
+ 9200 NATRUE products and raw materials around the world
- NATRUE signs partnership agreement with the Organic Trade Board (OTB), which objective is to grow awareness and promote organics in the UK.
- NATRUE joins the Commit for Our Planet initiative; an unprecedented cosmetics industry-wide initiative with the goal of reducing the sector’s environmental footprint in Europe.
* Our policy contributions can be seen in detail here.