Anderra

BDIH - Certified Natural Cosmetic

The BDIH mark is a German symbol that is present on natural cosmetic and body care products. This standard applies to all aspects of the product including packaging and production standards. For a product to display the BDIH symbol it must conform to the following criteria:

• Ingredients must be from plant or mineral source only
• Where possible, plant ingredients should be grown organically or obtained from wild collection
• It must not contain an GMO ingredients
• Free from petroleum based ingredients, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrance, ethoxylated raw materials or silicones
• Products must be cruelty free - not tested on animals
• Natural-identical preservatives are permitted but must be listed "preserved with...". Nature-identical preservatives permitted for use include: benzoic acic (salts and ethylester), salicylic acid (and salts), sorbic acids (and salts), benzyl alcohol.
• Packaging must be recyclable and minimalist

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BUAV Approved - The British Union of Abolition of Vivisection

The BUAV is an organisation that campaigns to end animal testing. Their aim is to create a world where nobody wants or needs to test on animals. The BUAV's ongoing work includes:

• Promote cruelty free cosmetics
• Political lobbying
• Media activities
• Seeking legal and medical expertise
• Undercover investigations

Find out more » or search for cruelty free companies »

Producs that carry this mark are aprroved under the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) and/or the Humane Household Products Standard (HHPS).

Demeter

Demeter International is a non-profit organisation established in 1945. Only those who are contractually bound can use the Demeter mark to ensure strict compliance with standards. The mark assures buyers that the ingredients in the product they are buying have been grown biodynamically.

Requirements of the standard include:

• No synthetic fertilisers
• No chemical pesticides
• No artificial additives during processing
• Production in a way that strengthens life processes and soil
  

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EcoCert

EcoCert are an organisation that control organic standards and certify products. They operate in eighty countries worldwide and have 2 types of product label:

Ecological and organic label.

Specifies a minimum of:

• 95% natural ingredients
• 10% certified organic ingredients
• 95% certified organic plant ingredients

Ecological label

Specifies a minimum of:

• 95% natural ingredients
• 5% certified organic ingredients
• 50% certified organic plant ingrdients

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Fair Trade

Fair trade certification means that products/ingredients have been responsibly and fairly sourced from workers and farmers in the developing world.

The key objectives of Fairtrade certification include:

• To provide pre-financing for producers and growers who require it
• To ensure a minimum price that is agreed with all producers
• To emphasise partnership between traders
• To create minimum standards for trade and production environment

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Organic Soil Association

You are probably familiar with this mark from your food shopping. In 2002, the Organic Soil Association launched a set of standards for the health and beauty industry. Standards were launched for this sector because companies wanted a form of independent verification of the organic content of their products.

The standards are based on principles that require:

• The maximum amount of organic ingredients
• The minimum amount of synthetic ingredients
• Minimum processing of ingredients
• Clear labelling to ensure consumers make an informed choice
• Ingredients must not be harmful to human health
• Minimum environmental impact

As from 2005

• Any wild harvested ingredients must not be from an endangered species
• Ingredients that are a result of nanotechnology are prohibited until further research is available
  

Any product that carries the symbol and is labelled organic must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients. Products that carry the symbol and labelled as "made with xx% of organic ingredients" must contain a minimum of 70% organic ingredients. The remaining percentage of non-organic ingredients can only be used if they follow the following requirements:

• GM free
• If the organic version of a particular ingredient is not available
• Ingredients that have been assessed and found to be non-hazardous to human health and the environment

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Vegan Society Approved

The Vegan Society was formed in 1944 to provide advice and information about living free of animal products. Vegan Society approved products are those that do not contain any animal or animal by-products including:

• Beeswax
• Lanolin
• Propolis
  

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