The cosmetics industry is facing a turning point. Increasing regulatory demands, growing consumer environmental awareness, and the need for responsible production models are accelerating the transition towards more sustainable practices. In this context, Ecocert Ibérica defines a clear purpose for 2026: to support the sector in adopting robust ecological standards, backed by internationally recognized certifications and technical reformulation strategies aligned with sustainability criteria.

Eco-certifications: Analysis of Cosmos and NATRUE as Drivers of Sector Transformation

COSMOS: A Global Standard for Natural and Organic Cosmetics

COSMOS has established itself as one of the most internationally recognized labels. Its strength lies in a unified regulatory framework that covers the entire value chain: from raw materials to manufacturing processes, packaging, and communication.

Main Requirements of COSMOS

• Ingredient Origin: minimum of natural ingredients; strict limits on petrochemical derivatives.
• Ecological Ingredients: mandatory percentage of certified organic raw materials.
• Manufacturing Processes: environmentally friendly techniques; restrictions on solvents and reagents.
• Prohibited Substances: strict list of unauthorized ingredients (silicones, PEGs, parabens, among others).
• Packaging: criteria to minimize the environmental impact of packaging.
• Annual Audit: verification of compliance and full traceability.

Benefits for Brands

• Alignment with the expectations of the ecological consumer.
• International recognition, facilitating export and positioning.
• Reliable technical framework for developing truly sustainable products.

Greater differentiation in a market with increasing risk of greenwashing

 NATRUE: Purity, Naturalness, and Transparency

NATRUE was born as an initiative focused on the defense of authentically natural formulations. Its structure is based on certification categories that guarantee different levels of naturalness and organic content

Main NATRUE Requirements

• Three certification levels: Natural Cosmetics, Natural with Bio Percentage, and Biological.
• Positive list of substances: strict control over permitted and processable ingredients.
• Enhanced naturalness: rigorous criteria for fragrances, surfactants, and preservatives.
• Formulation consistency: detailed analysis of minimum percentages of natural ingredients according to category.

Benefits for Brands

• Strong identity centered on naturalness and authenticity.
• Transparency towards the consumer seeking simplicity and traceability.
• International visibility within a widely recognized standard in Europe.
• Technical rigor that drives high-quality formulations.

How these certifications help position you as a sustainability leader by 2026

The 2026 market will be defined by consumers who are not only looking for effective products, but also safe, responsible, and backed by demanding standards. COSMOS and NATRUE allow:

• Adopt solid standards that generate trust.
• Integrate sustainability from formulation to packaging.
• Communicate with transparency and avoid misleading practices.
• Align the portfolio with emerging regulatory trends.

For companies in the cosmetic sector, certification will not simply be an added value, but a strategic component of competitiveness

Sustainability Strategies in Product Formulation: A Practical Guide for 2026

The transition towards formulations compatible with ecological certifications requires a solid technical approach, but also a progressive and realistic one. For companies in the cosmetic sector, adopting criteria such as those established by COSMOS and NATRUE can become an opportunity to optimize processes, strengthen portfolios, and respond coherently to market expectations. The following are lines of action that can serve as a reference for sustainable reformulation projects.

Ingredient Selection

• Consider a greater weight of plant-based and renewable raw materials, always backed by verifiable traceability systems.
• Evaluate the gradual substitution of higher-impact synthetic ingredients with biodegradable and technically validated alternatives.
• Incorporate certified ecological assets that contribute to achieving the required percentages for each certification category.
• Analyze the environmental footprint of the procurement process for each input, including factors such as energy consumption, water management, and byproduct generation.

Technical Reformulation

• Review existing formulas with the aim of simplifying compositions without compromising their stability or performance.
• Adjust emulsion systems to include natural emulsifiers approved by standards, while ensuring adequate sensoriality.
• Optimize sensory experience and functional properties through gums, waxes, oils, and other natural agents that meet certification criteria.

Manufacturing and Control Criteria

• Align industrial parameters with ecological demands, especially regarding process temperatures, permitted reagents, and responsible waste management.
• Strengthen traceability mechanisms from raw material reception to the final product, ensuring the documentary transparency required in audits.
• Maintain adequate segregation of ingredients and process lines to avoid cross-contamination and ensure compliance with certification requirements.

360° Packaging and Sustainability

• Evaluate packaging options based on recycled, recyclable, or single-material components that facilitate post-consumer management.
• Review the total weight of the packaging and its structural design to minimize the impact on transportation and storage.
• Explore reuse models or refill systems that complement the product's sustainability strategy and reinforce the brand's value proposition.

Leading Sustainability in 2026 Requires Rigor, Strategy, and Commitment

For Ecocert Ibérica, the 2026 horizon represents a decisive opportunity for the cosmetic sector to consolidate real leadership in sustainability. Certifications such as COSMOS and NATRUE provide a robust and verifiable framework, while sustainable reformulation turns that framework into safe, effective products aligned with the values of today's consumer.

The transition is not immediate, but it is strategic. Companies that embark on this path today will be better positioned to respond to market demands, anticipate future regulations, and build a value proposition based on authenticity and environmental responsibility