The COSMOS signatures remain fully valid and compliant under the new rules.
In the world of cosmetics, "natural," "green," and "eco-friendly" have become ubiquitous terms. But as consumer demand for genuinely sustainable products grows, so does the risk of greenwashing: vague, unsubstantiated marketing that makes it difficult for shoppers to identify products that truly reflect their values.
To address this, the European Union has passed the "Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition" Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/825). Effective September 27, 2026, this new law marks a definitive shift toward a market built on evidence, transparency, and accountability.
What is changing?
The directive creates a new black list of prohibited commercial practices. For brands, manufacturers, and retailers, this means two major shifts in how you communicate:
- Vague claims are banned: Generic environmental claims like "eco-friendly," "natural," or "sustainable" will be prohibited unless you can prove an outstanding environmental performance, typically demonstrated by recognized labels like the EU Ecolabel.
- Unqualified sustainability labels: Any quality seal or trust mark promoting social or environmental credentials must now be established by a public authority or backed by a robust, independent, and publicly available certification scheme.
- No more offsetting claims: Companies can no longer market products as carbon neutral if that claim relies solely on offsetting schemes rather than reducing emissions within the production chain itself.
- Verified future promises: Making claims like "carbon neutral by 2030" is now prohibited unless you have a detailed, time-bound, and independently verified action plan that is made public.
Why COSMOS certification is your competitive advantage
The COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL marks are recognized, third-party verified certification schemes. Therefore, your COSMOS signatures fully align with the requirements of the new EU Directive.
What this means for our partners and customers:
- Continued compliance: The COSMOS signatures remain fully valid and compliant under the new rules. You can continue to display these marks on your packaging, website, and marketing materials with the confidence that they meet the EU’s rigorous standards for transparency.
- A shield against greenwashing: By choosing certified products, retailers and consumers are opting for a system that mandates supply chain traceability, environmental respect, and strict ingredient standards. This the exact evidence the new EU law demands.
- Building trust: As the beauty market faces increasing regulatory scrutiny, the value of independent, expert-led certification has never been higher.
Resources for COSMOS members
We understand that navigating these regulatory changes can raise questions. To support your communication and compliance efforts, we have developed dedicated resources:
- For certified brands: INF-2026-059 ECGT 2024-825_comm to certified brands.pdf
- For retailers: INF-2026-060 ECGT 2024-825_comm to retailers.pdf
While the new regulatory landscape may seem complex, it ensures that the effort you put into sourcing, manufacturing, and responsible marketing is recognized and protected from unfair competition.
We are proud to stand with our community as we move toward a more transparent, honest, and truly sustainable future for the beauty industry.
Have questions? Reach out to our team at info@cosmos-standard.org. We are here to help you navigate this transition.
