BDIH (Germany), COSMEBIO (France), ECOCERT Greenlife (France), ICEA (Italy) and SOIL Association (UK) announced the constitution of COSMOS-standard AISBL, the International non-profit Association whose object is to develop the COSMOS-standard as an international and internationally recognized standard for organic and natural cosmetics.
The harmonization process initiated by the European Cosmetics Standards Working Group is moving forward with the constitution of the International non-profit Association COSMOSstandard AISBL. The incorporation took place in Brussels on May 4th 2010 in front of the Notary and in the presence of all founding member representatives.
The five founding members are BDIH, COSMEBIO respectively professional associations, ECOCERT Greenlife, ICEA both certification bodies and SOIL ASSOCIATION a consumer association, all of them active as standard setters in the field of natural and organic cosmetics. The founders will be the first members of the International Association. “Today is an important day and a key step for the sector” declared Gaetano Paparella, president of ICEA. “This International Association will ensure cooperation between all parties for the benefits of consumers” added Harald Dittmar of BDIH.
The new AISBL has been formed to:
• Own and develop the COSMOS-standard;
• Authorise and oversee high quality and harmonized certification;
• Evolve continually in the direction of more organic ingredients and environmental
improvement through exchange, debate, and improved standards.
The first Board of Directors consists of:
• Francis Blake (SOIL ASSOCIATION), elected as President
• Pierre Charlier de Chily (COSMEBIO), elected as Secretary
• Riccardo Anouchinsky (ICEA), elected as Treasurer
• Harald Dittmar (BDIH)
• Valérie Lemaire (ECOCERT Greenlife)
The Board of Directors appointed Betty Santonnat (COSMEBIO) as Secretary General for the daily management of COSMOS-standard AISBL.
As soon as COSMOS-standard AISBL receives the Royal decree from the Belgian authorities, the International Association will be opened to new members. “The Association will have the duty to represent and integrate opinions of interested associated bodies, which might support the Association’s objects” says Francis Blake elected as first President of COSMOS-standard AISBL. “The Association will also provide a platform for the exchange of scientific, social and economic experience in the area of organic and natural cosmetics as well as raw materials and processing methods” declares Pierre Charlier, Secretary of the
Board of Directors.
The next step for the founders of COSMOS-standard AISBL and their associated inspection/certification bodies is to finalize the harmonized procedures and the approval process of certifiers to inspect/certify to COSMOS-standard. “COSMOS-standard will be the guarantee of high quality certification “concluded Valerie Lemaire, who will be in charge of coordinating technical tasks within COSMOS-standard AISBL.
Source: COSMEBIO
