Views: 59 Author: BEYAQI Publish Time: 2026-10-30 Origin: Site
A natural or organic skincare formula may meet every ingredient requirement, yet its packaging can still become a challenge during certification.
For brands pursuing COSMOS or NATRUE certification, packaging is not simply a matter of choosing a glass bottle, a recyclable plastic jar, or a paper carton. The materials, packaging structure, opportunities for reuse, and end-of-life considerations may all affect whether a product meets the relevant standard.
Understanding these requirements early can help brands avoid costly packaging changes late in development.
Natural and organic cosmetics certifications evaluate more than the ingredients inside a product. Packaging is also part of the overall environmental and product-integrity assessment.
Depending on the certification scheme, relevant considerations may include:
Reducing unnecessary packaging materials.
Designing packaging for reuse or refill.
Using recyclable or renewable materials where feasible.
Avoiding specified packaging materials.
Preventing undesirable substances from migrating from packaging into the formula.
Providing supporting information for packaging materials and components.
For packaging buyers, this means a material should not be selected solely because it looks natural or carries a recycling symbol. The complete packaging design must be checked against the standard that the finished product is intended to meet.
The COSMOS-standard Version 4.2 has applied since September 1, 2025. Section 8.3 addresses packaging requirements for certified finished cosmetics. The official document and supporting technical guide are available from the COSMOS-standard website.
Under Section 8.3.1, each sales unit must meet at least three packaging indicators drawn from at least two of four principles:
REDUCE: Reduce packaging volume or weight relative to the product, avoid secondary packaging where appropriate, or use other qualifying reduction measures.
REUSE: Use refillable or reusable packaging, returnable containers, or organized second-life packaging systems.
RENEWABLE: Use renewable materials, biodegradable or compostable packaging materials, recognized environmental certifications for paper or card, or qualifying natural-based inks and adhesives.
RECYCLE: Use recycled material, select monomaterial packaging components, improve recyclability, or adopt other qualifying recycling measures.
The standard allows other indicators to be submitted for evaluation before use. The selected indicators must be supported by appropriate documentation. COSMOS-standard documents
Not necessarily.
Using at least 20% recycled material in primary packaging is one indicator under the RECYCLE principle. It is not a standalone requirement that every certified cosmetic package must meet regardless of the other indicators selected.
For example, a brand may build its packaging strategy around qualifying reduction, reuse, renewable-material, and recycling measures. The selected combination must satisfy the overall indicator requirement and be accepted under the applicable certification assessment.
Where recycled content is used to demonstrate compliance, brands should verify the material's eligibility, supporting documentation, and the requirements of the current standard, including Appendix IX.
Section 8.3.4 of COSMOS v4.2 lists materials that must not be used in packaging, including:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other chlorinated plastics.
Polystyrene and other plastics containing styrene.
Polycarbonate (PC).
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
Acrylonitrile styrene (AS) and acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA).
MBS, Bakelite, phenol-formaldehyde, and urea-formaldehyde materials.
Certain other specified polymers and materials.
Materials containing, derived from, or manufactured using genetically modified organisms, as specified by the standard.
Animal parts or animal-derived materials such as leather and silk.
The current list should always be checked directly before selecting a material. The standard also provides for possible technical exceptions for certain functional components—such as pumps, applicators, droppers, and brushes—when suitable alternatives are not available and a technical application is submitted. Exceptions should never be assumed in advance. COSMOS-standard documents
NATRUE has its own certification criteria. Version 3.9 specifies that packaging should be minimized, products should be designed for multiple uses where appropriate, and recyclable packaging materials should be used when technically feasible and available.
Its packaging guidance identifies materials such as:
Glass.
Aluminum.
Paper and cardboard.
Recyclable plastics, including PET and PP.
NATRUE also prohibits halogenated plastics, including PVC and other chlorinated plastics, as packaging materials. NATRUE Label Criteria, Version 3.9
These requirements support more considered packaging choices, but they do not mean every product must use glass or that PET and PP are automatically suitable for every certified product.
Brands should confirm that the proposed packaging meets the relevant criteria and that its material, construction, and intended use are acceptable under the applicable assessment.
ECOCERT is a certification organization that certifies natural and organic cosmetics under the COSMOS framework. Products marketed with a COSMOS-related certification must meet the relevant COSMOS requirements, including those covering packaging.
However, ECOCERT is also associated with other certification services, so it is important to identify the exact certification scheme rather than assuming every ECOCERT service follows identical packaging rules.
For a COSMOS-certified product, packaging requirements should be reviewed against the applicable COSMOS standard and the certification body's assessment process. ECOCERT — COSMOS Certification
Choosing a certification-friendly material starts with checking the applicable standard. Product compatibility, structural performance, decoration, and end-of-life considerations still matter.
Glass is a useful option for many skincare products, particularly premium serums, facial oils, and creams. It offers a rigid container body and is widely recyclable in suitable collection systems.
For brands seeking a minimalist natural aesthetic, glass can also support a premium visual identity.
However, the complete packaging system should still be assessed. Droppers, pumps, liners, caps, coatings, and decorative components may use different materials and require separate evaluation.
PET and PP can be practical options for brands that need lightweight packaging with familiar processing and filling characteristics.
NATRUE specifically identifies recyclable PET and PP as examples of materials to consider when technically feasible and available. Under COSMOS, however, brands must also review the applicable accepted-material list and prohibited-material list.
Material selection should consider the resin grade, product compatibility, component construction, decoration, and available recycling infrastructure. A single-material design may help simplify recycling, but the actual packaging must still meet the applicable requirements.
Aluminum can be a useful option for tubes and selected containers. It is widely recycled where appropriate collection and processing systems exist and may suit brands looking for a distinctive material appearance.
As with other materials, the complete construction matters. Liners, coatings, closures, and other components should be checked against the relevant certification requirements and the formula's compatibility needs.
Paper and cardboard can support secondary packaging, renewable-material strategies, and certain reduction or recycling objectives.
Brands should consider whether the carton is necessary, whether its material has appropriate environmental certification, and whether inks, adhesives, coatings, and finishes are compatible with the intended certification strategy.
Removing unnecessary secondary packaging may be a more effective starting point than adding a carton solely to create a natural or premium appearance.
Multilayer packaging should not automatically be treated as prohibited under every organic cosmetics standard. Its acceptability depends on the specific material structure, the standard's accepted-material and prohibited-material provisions, and the certification assessment.
For COSMOS, check Appendix IX and Section 8.3.4 carefully. If a tube combines different polymer layers, aluminum, adhesives, or other materials, provide the full construction details to the relevant certification body before approving the design.
The same principle applies to pumps, droppers, brushes, and other functional components. Do not assume an exception will be granted merely because a component is difficult to manufacture in a different material.
Before confirming packaging for a natural or organic skincare product, work through the following steps.
Step 1: Identify the exact certification.
Confirm whether the product will be assessed under COSMOS, NATRUE, or another certification scheme. Do not combine requirements from different standards without checking their applicability.
Step 2: Review every packaging component.
List the bottle or jar, cap, pump, dropper, liner, label, adhesive, coating, carton, and any other relevant component. Record the material composition wherever possible.
Step 3: Check prohibited and accepted materials.
For COSMOS, review Appendix IX and Section 8.3.4. For NATRUE, review the packaging provisions in Version 3.9 or the current applicable criteria.
Step 4: Plan the required sustainability indicators.
For COSMOS, identify at least three qualifying packaging indicators across at least two principles. Keep records that support the chosen measures.
Step 5: Evaluate formula compatibility and package performance.
Confirm that the package protects the product during storage and use. Assess sealing, leakage, dispensing, and material compatibility as appropriate.
Step 6: Obtain confirmation before mass production.
Submit the relevant packaging information to the certification body or responsible assessor. This is particularly important for complex structures, functional components, recycled materials, and proposed exceptions.
Early review can help reduce the risk of having to redesign the package after tooling, decoration, or production planning has begun.
For brands developing natural and organic skincare products, packaging decisions should be made with certification requirements in mind from the beginning.
BEYAQI supports cosmetic packaging development for brands and packaging buyers evaluating bottles, jars, closures, pumps, and other components. By reviewing the intended certification, material structure, component requirements, and product-use conditions early, brands can narrow down suitable packaging options before mass production.
A certification-oriented packaging strategy should balance material eligibility, product protection, practical usability, visual design, and sustainability goals. No material should be described as universally “certification approved” without checking the relevant scheme and specific packaging construction.
No. Under COSMOS v4.2, at least 20% recycled material in primary packaging is one indicator under the RECYCLE principle. Each sales unit must meet at least three indicators across at least two of the four principles.
COSMOS v4.2 lists PVC and other chlorinated plastics, polystyrene and other plastics containing styrene, and several other materials among those prohibited for packaging. Always check the current standard before selecting materials.
NATRUE identifies recyclable plastics such as PET and PP as examples of packaging materials to use when technically feasible and available. The proposed packaging should still be reviewed against the applicable criteria.
Not automatically. Suitability depends on the specific certification standard, the complete material structure, and the certification assessment. Submit the construction details for review before finalizing a multilayer tube.
No. Glass can be suitable for many products, but the best option depends on the product, packaging design, weight, breakage risk, component materials, and certification requirements. Plastic packaging may also be suitable when it meets the applicable criteria.
Yes. Confirming material eligibility and the proposed packaging strategy early helps reduce the risk of redesign, delays, and unexpected certification issues later in development.
