6 ECOCERT COSMOS Certified Raw Material Sources

As global consumer demand for clean beauty and sustainable products continues to rise, ECOCERT COSMOS has become one of the most trusted standards in the natural and organic cosmetics industry. Developed by leading European authorities such as ECOCERT, this standard ensures that products comply with strict environmental and quality requirements, ranging from raw material sourcing and production processes to packaging materials.

Products meeting the ECOCERT COSMOS standard feature naturally derived ingredients, eco-friendly manufacturing processes, no controversial petrochemical ingredients, and respect for biodiversity.

For brands looking to create high-end natural skincare products, understanding which raw material sources can gain ECOCERT COSMOS approval is a critical first step in formulation development. This article will introduce 6 common certified raw material sources to help you make more sustainable choices in product development.

Quick Overview

1.Plant Extracts

Plant extracts are active ingredients obtained from different parts of plants (leaves, flowers, roots, fruits) through physical processing (pressing, distillation) or chemical processing (extraction using solvents such as water, ethanol, glycerin). They are the core effective components in natural cosmetics.

Scientific Mechanism

In accordance with ECOCERT COSMOS standards, plant extracts can be classified into PPAI (Physically Processed Agricultural Ingredients) and CPAI (Chemically Processed Agricultural Ingredients).

Physical processing does not alter the chemical structure of the ingredients, while chemical processing allows the use of specific green solvents.

Plant extracts that meet ECOCERT COSMOS requirements must satisfy:

• More than 95% of agriculturally derived ingredients must be organic (for applications seeking the COSMOS ORGANIC grade).
• No petrochemical-derived solvents are permitted.
• The production process respects biodiversity and adheres to environmentally friendly principles.

Typical Ingredients

The ECOCERT COSMOS database contains a large number of certified plant extracts, such as:

• COSME‑PHYTAMI™ Series: Includes various plant extracts from lemon, lotus, mango, oat, etc., using glycerin as the solvent. Chemically Processed Agricultural Ingredients (CPAI) account for over 98%, with no petrochemical ingredients.
• Saberry®: Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, compliant with ECOCERT COSMOS standards, with antioxidant effects.
• Nigellin® Amber: Black seed extract, also certified.
• Eurol BT: Olive leaf extract, a highly active natural ingredient.

2.Vegetable Oils and Vegetable Butters

Vegetable oils and vegetable butters are natural fats and oils extracted from oil-bearing plants through cold-pressed or refined processes. They contain no petrochemical-derived ingredients and serve as the most basic moisturizing and nourishing ingredients in natural cosmetics.

Scientific Mechanism

According to the ECOCERT COSMOS standards, vegetable oils and vegetable butters can be classified as:

• Physically Processed (PPAI): Cold-pressed and unrefined, retaining more natural nutrients.
• Chemically Processed (CPAI): Refined, bleached, and deodorized to achieve more stable oil quality.

Regardless of the processing method, only green solvents are allowed, and no synthetic antioxidants may be added. Vegetable oils that meet ECOCERT COSMOS requirements must be produced in accordance with sustainable sourcing principles.

Typical Ingredients

• Jojoba Oil: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, 100% Physically Processed Agricultural Ingredient (PPAI), suitable for facial oils and serum products.
• Kalahari Melon Seed Oil: Citrullus lanatus Seed Oil, 100% physically processed ingredient with excellent skin penetration.
• Biochemica Series: Natural vegetable oils and fats compliant with ECOCERT standards.
• Shea Butter: Common certified butter widely used in moisturizing products.

3.Natural Surfactants

Natural surfactants are mild cleansing ingredients synthesized through green chemical processes using renewable resources such as vegetable oils and sugars. They are the core components of natural facial cleansers and personal care products.

Scientific Mechanism

The ECOCERT COSMOS standard imposes strict restrictions on surfactants:

• Only plant-derived non-ionic and anionic surfactants are permitted.
• They must have excellent biodegradability.
• The production process must comply with green chemistry principles.
• A small amount of petrochemical-derived ingredients (PeMo) is allowed, but only after strict verification.

Surfactants meeting the ECOCERT COSMOS standard provide the fundamental assurance for formulating natural shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers.

Typical Ingredients

• Decyl Glucoside: Approximately 54% Chemically Processed Agricultural Ingredient (CPAI), free of petrochemical ingredients, suitable for mild cleansing products.
• Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate: Approximately 35% chemically processed ingredient, containing a small amount of petrochemical ingredients (about 2.98%).
• Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate: Approximately 25% chemically processed ingredient, a mild amino acid-based surfactant.
• Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Contains about 16% chemically processed ingredients and 14% petrochemical ingredients; requires RSPO certification for sustainable palm oil.

4.Mineral Ingredients

Mineral ingredients are derived from natural minerals and obtained through physical processing (grinding, sieving) without chemical modification. They are mainly used in color cosmetics and sun care products.

Scientific Mechanism

According to the ECOCERT COSMOS standard, mineral ingredients are classified as non-agricultural ingredients and are not included in the organic content calculation. However, they must meet the following requirements:

• Derived from natural minerals
• Produced mainly through physical processing without altering the chemical structure
• Free from synthetic pigments and heavy metal impurities

Mineral ingredients that comply with the ECOCERT COSMOS standard form the foundation of natural color cosmetics.

Typical Ingredients

• Mica Series: Cosmetica® Mica Series, containing mica, tin oxide and titanium dioxide, used for color presentation in color cosmetics.
• Volcanic Ash: Jeju N Basalt Volcanic Ash, 100% natural mineral from Jeju Island.
• Iron Oxides: JOH Series color pastes, iron oxide pigments dispersed in jojoba oil.
• Titanium Dioxide: Physical sunscreen agent, suitable for natural sun care products.

5.Biotechnological Ingredients

Biotechnological ingredients are active substances obtained through biotechnological processes such as microbial fermentation and enzyme catalysis. They meet the requirements of natural origin and feature high efficacy.

Scientific Mechanism

The ECOCERT COSMOS standard permits ingredients obtained through biotechnology, provided that:

• Fermentation substrates are derived from natural agricultural raw materials
• The production process is environmentally friendly
• The final product meets the definition of natural ingredients
• No genetically modified microorganisms are used

Such ingredients represent an important direction for upgrading the efficacy of natural cosmetics.

Typical Ingredients

• Fermented Turmeric Root Extract (Turmericgel): Turmeric extract obtained through fermentation technology, combining high efficacy and natural properties
• Cococin™: Coconut liquid endosperm extract, compliant with ECOCERT COSMOS standards
• Ectoin: Obtained from extremophile fermentation, commonly used in products meeting natural standards
• Hyaluronic Acid: A natural moisturizing ingredient produced by microbial fermentation

6.Natural Waxes and Alcohols

Natural waxes and fatty alcohols are ingredients derived from the hydrogenation or esterification of vegetable oils, mainly used to adjust product texture, stabilize emulsions, and enhance moisturization.

Scientific Mechanism

Requirements for waxes and alcohols under the ECOCERT COSMOS standard:

• Must be derived from natural vegetable oils
• Limited degree of chemical modification such as hydrogenation and esterification
• Prefer sources certified by RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil)
• No synthetic waxes of petrochemical origin

These ingredients are key regulators of texture in products such as creams, lotions, and lipsticks.

Typical Ingredients

• Cetearyl Alcohol: Derived from the hydrogenation of vegetable oils, 100% Chemically Processed Agricultural Ingredient (CPAI), requires RSPO certification.
• Jojoba Esters: Esterified product of jojoba oil, approximately 99.95% chemically processed ingredient, natural stabilizer.
• Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil: Used as natural scrub particles or paste stabilizer.
• Coco-Caprylate/Caprate: Natural emollient ester.

Summary

Materials compliant with the ECOCERT COSMOS standard cover a complete system ranging from plant extracts to biotechnological ingredients.

These six categories — plant extracts, vegetable oils, natural surfactants, mineral ingredients, biotechnological ingredients, and natural waxes & alcohols — form the material foundation for the development of natural and organic cosmetics.

Each category has its own specific regulatory requirements and application scope. Brands must comprehensively consider product positioning, efficacy needs, and sustainability goals when selecting raw materials.

Choosing ECOCERT COSMOS-approved ingredients not only ensures that products meet internationally recognized natural and organic standards, but also represents a serious commitment to environmental protection, biodiversity, and consumer health.

As the global cosmetics market accelerates its transition toward green and sustainable development, the use of such certified ingredients will become a core competitive advantage for high-end natural brands.

If you are seeking a manufacturing partner that combines the natural and organic philosophy with German-quality management, DESIFINE — supported by a German Technical Director system and ISO 22716 certification — can provide your brand with one-stop service from certified raw material selection to finished product delivery, exploring the unlimited potential of the natural and organic sector together.