NSF International, Natrue develop standard for natural personal care products
ANN ARBOR, Mich., and BRUSSELS — NSF International, a U.S. testing and certification organization, has partnered with Natrue, the international natural and organic cosmetic association based in Brussels, to develop a national standard for natural personal care products.
The new American national standard aims to define the use of the term "natural" and protect the integrity of verified natural personal care products. Natrue's natural personal care criteria (Natrue standard level 1) will be used as a foundation for the development of an American version, which will help establish a globally recognized definition of "natural" in such personal care products as cosmetics, oral care and personal hygiene.
"In the absence of a standard definition, consumers often question the term 'natural' on personal care products as to what it actually means," stated NSF International standards director Jane Wilson. "By collaborating with Natrue, consumer groups, industry experts and regulators, the American national standard for natural personal care products will define, in line with Natrue's label approach, the use of the term 'natural' helping to protect and promote authentic and quality natural personal care products worldwide."
NSF International stated that it will develop the new natural personal care standard using a consensus-based process that allows for balanced participation from key stakeholder groups, including regulators, personal care manufacturers, trade associations and retailers.
The first stakeholder meeting to discuss the development of the new standard will be held March 10 at the Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, Calif.
This initiative marks the second U.S. national standard that NSF International plans to develop for the personal care industry. "A year ago, the NSF/ANSI 305 standard was introduced for manufacturers seeking to have their personal care products certified as containing organic ingredients. Developing a standard for natural personal care products will help delineate the two sectors for consumers and bring meaning to the term 'natural,'" Wilson stated.