Cosmébio (Bio and Eco Cosmetics) Certification Explained
France · Established 2002
Audit Level: Third-Party Audit
An independent third party conducts an audit of the brand's facilities or documentation. More rigorous than self-declaration.
Supply-chain verified: Yes.
| Supply Chain | Verified |
| Cost for Brands | Annual membership and certification fee. |
| Recognized In | FranceEurope |
Editorial Analysis
A French professional association and certification for organic and natural cosmetics, co-founding body of the COSMOS standard. Cosmébio issues two marks: BIO (organic) and ECO (natural). Both prohibit animal testing and synthetic ingredients but allow some animal-derived ingredients. Widely recognised in France; less known internationally than COSMOS.
In depth
How Cosmébio certification works
Cosmébio is a professional association, not a certification body in its own right. A brand that wants to display the label must first have its products certified by an approved independent certifier — Ecocert and Cosmécert are among the best known — against the applicable standard. The certifier reviews formulations, ingredient origins, manufacturing processes, and on-pack claims, and conducts on-site audits that are repeated on a regular cycle to maintain certification.
Once certified, the brand joins the association, pays an annual membership fee, and gains the right to use the Cosmébio logo on qualifying products. The association issues two marks: BIO, for organic cosmetics, and ECO, for natural cosmetics with a lower proportion of organic ingredients. Because verification is handled by accredited third parties rather than by the brands themselves, the label carries more weight than self-declared claims such as "natural" or "clean," which are not independently checked.
Cosmébio and the COSMOS standard
In 2010, Cosmébio became one of the founding members of COSMOS (COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard), together with BDIH of Germany, Ecocert of France, ICEA of Italy, and the Soil Association of the United Kingdom. COSMOS was created to replace the patchwork of national organic-cosmetics standards in Europe with a single harmonized rulebook.
Since 2017, new products certified under the scheme carry the Cosmébio logo together with a COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL signature rather than the legacy BIO and ECO charter marks, although older products certified under the original Cosmébio charter can still be found on shelves. Under COSMOS ORGANIC, at least 95 percent of physically processed agro-ingredients must be organic and at least 20 percent of the total product must be organic (10 percent for rinse-off products). For consumers outside France, the COSMOS signature is usually more recognizable than the Cosmébio name itself.
What the label does and does not guarantee for vegans
Both Cosmébio marks prohibit animal testing, and since 2013 animal testing of finished cosmetics and their ingredients has also been banned throughout the European Union, so any Cosmébio product sold there meets the legal cruelty-free baseline. The label, however, is not a vegan certification.
The standards behind the label prohibit ingredients taken from dead animals, such as slaughter-derived collagen or animal fats, but they permit substances produced by living animals. Beeswax (cera alba), honey (mel), propolis, lanolin, and milk derivatives are all compatible with certification and appear regularly in certified products — beeswax in lip balms and creams, honey in masks and shampoos, lanolin in rich emollients.
Vegans therefore cannot rely on the Cosmébio logo alone. The INCI ingredient list still has to be checked, or the product must carry a separate vegan certification alongside the organic one.
Vegan alternatives and complementary labels
For verified vegan status, dedicated certifications fill the gap that Cosmébio leaves open. The Vegan Society trademark (United Kingdom), Certified Vegan by Vegan Action (United States), and EVE Vegan by Expertise Végane Europe (France) all verify that a product contains no animal-derived ingredients and involves no animal testing. EVE Vegan is particularly relevant in the French market and can appear alongside Cosmébio on the same packaging.
The two label types are complementary rather than interchangeable. A vegan certification says nothing about organic content, synthetic ingredients, or environmental criteria, while Cosmébio says nothing about ingredients produced by living animals. A product carrying both an organic label and a vegan label offers the broadest assurance. Where no vegan mark is present, an unofficial "vegan" claim printed by the brand is not independently verified, and the ingredient list remains the deciding source of information.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cosmébio vegan?
No. Cosmébio certifies that a cosmetic is organic or natural, not that it is free of animal-derived ingredients. Certified products may contain beeswax, honey, propolis, lanolin, or milk derivatives, so vegans need to check the ingredient list or look for a separate vegan certification.
Is Cosmébio cruelty-free?
Yes, in the sense that the standard prohibits animal testing, and EU law has banned animal testing for cosmetics since 2013. However, cruelty-free is not the same as vegan: certified products can still contain ingredients produced by living animals, such as beeswax or honey.
What is the difference between Cosmébio and COSMOS?
Cosmébio is a French professional association and consumer label, while COSMOS is the harmonized European standard that Cosmébio co-founded in 2010 with BDIH, Ecocert, ICEA, and the Soil Association. Since 2017, new Cosmébio-labeled products are certified against the COSMOS standard and carry a COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL signature.
What is the difference between the Cosmébio BIO and ECO labels?
BIO designates organic cosmetics with a higher proportion of organic ingredients, while ECO designates natural cosmetics with a lower organic content. Both prohibit animal testing and most synthetic ingredients. These legacy charter marks are gradually being replaced by the COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL signatures.
How do I know if a Cosmébio product is vegan?
Check the INCI ingredient list for animal-derived entries such as cera alba (beeswax), mel (honey), lanolin, and lac (milk), or look for a dedicated vegan certification such as EVE Vegan or the Vegan Society trademark on the same packaging. The Cosmébio logo alone does not confirm vegan status.
Summary
Type
Cruelty-Free
Established
2002
Origin
France
Scope
Organic and natural cosmetics