Certifications: COSMOS, NATRUE, ISO 9001 & GMP
Every certification Cosmetic Lab holds is issued by an independent, third-party body and renewed through annual on-site audits. We do not self-declare compliance. For brands entering markets where natural, organic, or quality certification is a purchasing requirement (EU retail, North American health stores, Australian pharmacy chains, or Middle Eastern regulated markets) independent third-party certification is the difference between an approved supplier and a rejected one. Below is a full account of the certifications we hold, what each standard requires, and what it means for products manufactured under your brand as a GMP certified cosmetics manufacturer.
GMP Certified Cosmetics Manufacturer: Certification Overview
Cosmetic Lab holds five active certifications covering organic standards, quality management, and Good Manufacturing Practice. All are maintained through annual independent audits:
| Certification | Issuing Body | Scope | Audit Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| COSMOS Organic | IONC GmbH | Organic & natural cosmetics production | Annual |
| COSMOS Natural | IONC GmbH | Natural cosmetics (no organic % req.) | Annual |
| NATRUE | NATRUE Association | Natural & organic cosmetics (EU standard) | Annual |
| ISO 9001:2015 | SIA Sertifikācijas Centrs | Quality Management System | Annual |
| ISO 22716 GMP | Verified under EU Cosmetics Regulation | Good Manufacturing Practice for cosmetics | Annual (COSMOS audit) |
Table of Contents
COSMOS Organic
COSMOS Organic is the strictest tier of the COSMOS-standard (Cosmetic Organic and Natural Standard), governed by IONC GmbH and recognised across the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and most major markets globally. To achieve COSMOS Organic certification, a manufacturer must demonstrate: a minimum percentage of agri-ingredients are certified organic, all ingredients meet biodegradability and environmental requirements, no prohibited synthetic ingredients are used, and the full manufacturing process from sourcing through filling is fully traceable and documented.
Cosmetic Lab holds COSMOS Organic certification issued by IONC GmbH, covering cosmetic products manufactured at our facility. Products produced under this standard can carry the COSMOS Organic logo and the word “organic” on their label, a key commercial advantage for brands positioning in premium retail, subscription boxes, or natural beauty channels. This is the certification behind our organic cosmetics private label offering, including cold-process soaps, solid shampoos, body butters, and certified essential oils. Certification is audited annually by an independent certifying officer.
COSMOS Natural
COSMOS Natural is the second tier of the COSMOS-standard. It requires that all ingredients are of natural origin and prohibits synthetic fragrances, colorants, and silicones. Unlike COSMOS Organic, it does not require a minimum percentage of certified organic ingredients, making it the right certification pathway for formulations where full organic sourcing is not feasible or commercially appropriate. Products certified to COSMOS Natural may not use the word “organic” on their label, but can carry the COSMOS Natural logo and be marketed as certified natural cosmetics.
COSMOS Natural certification is increasingly demanded in premium retail environments globally. For brands where full organic sourcing adds cost without proportionate retail premium, COSMOS Natural offers a credible, independently verified alternative that still commands strong positioning over conventional cosmetics. Both COSMOS tiers are covered under our annual certification cycle, giving clients flexibility in product positioning without switching manufacturers.
NATRUE
NATRUE is a European-based certification standard for natural and organic cosmetics. The standard applies strict criteria to ingredient origin, permitted processing methods, and prohibited substances, with particular emphasis on minimising synthetic processing aids and ensuring full biodegradability of all formulation components.
NATRUE certification is especially well recognised in German-speaking markets (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) and across Scandinavia, where consumer expectations for natural cosmetics standards are among the highest in the world. Retailers in these markets frequently require NATRUE or COSMOS certification as a listing condition for natural beauty ranges. Our NATRUE certification is audited annually, providing clients with a single manufacturing partner covering both primary European natural cosmetics standards.
ISO 9001:2015: Quality Management System
Cosmetic Lab and SIA Natrue Lab are sister companies under the same ownership and work together as one manufacturing group. The ISO 9001:2015 certificate below is issued to SIA Natrue Lab (Kuldīga, Latvia) for the production of perfumes and cosmetics and the packaging of cosmetics, and applies to the projects the group delivers for Cosmetic Lab clients.
ISO 9001:2015 is the internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. Certification confirms that our production processes, supplier controls, documentation practices, and quality monitoring meet the requirements of the standard as verified by an accredited certification body. For cosmetics manufacturing, ISO 9001 demonstrates structured quality control across the full production cycle: incoming material inspection, in-process quality checks, finished product release criteria, batch traceability, and non-conformance management.
Our ISO 9001:2015 certificate covers production of perfumes and cosmetics and packaging of cosmetics, issued by SIA “Sertifikācijas Centrs”, an accredited certification body. Certificate validity runs to November 2026, with surveillance audits conducted annually. ISO 9001 certification is a standard requirement for supplier qualification in European retail and for export documentation to regulated markets including the United States (MoCRA), Australia (TGA), and GCC countries.
GMP: ISO 22716 Good Manufacturing Practice
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for cosmetics is defined under ISO 22716 and is mandatory for all cosmetic manufacturers supplying products to the European market under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. GMP compliance covers facility hygiene, personnel training, equipment qualification, batch record management, raw material traceability, and product release protocols. For B2B clients, GMP compliance means every batch produced is fully documented and releasable with a Certificate of Analysis (COA).
GMP documentation is a standard component of our private label manufacturing process. Each production batch is accompanied by batch records, stability data where applicable, and product information files (PIF) required for EU market compliance. For export, we provide COA, MSDS/SDS, and Free Sale Certificates as standard documentation. GMP compliance is verified as part of our annual COSMOS audit cycle and documented separately for client quality assurance requirements.
What Certification Means for Your Brand
Working with a certified manufacturer removes the certification burden from your organisation. You do not need to arrange your own audits, manage renewals, or build relationships with certification bodies. Our certifications transfer directly to your product: a product formulated and manufactured under COSMOS Organic standards at our facility can carry the COSMOS Organic logo through the standard IONC licensing process. The audit trail, ingredient documentation, and production records required to support that logo are maintained as part of our standard operations.
For brands entering European markets, certification also simplifies retailer qualification. Major EU natural and organic retailers (including Rossmann, dm, Müller, and specialist organic chains) require COSMOS or NATRUE certification as a standard listing condition for natural beauty ranges. Working with a GMP certified cosmetics manufacturer means your products arrive retail-ready. Read more about the advantages in our guide on why brands choose European certified manufacturers. Also read: How to Import Cosmetics from Europe and White Label vs Private Label vs OEM Cosmetics. Also read: How to Import Cosmetics from Europe and White Label vs Private Label vs OEM Cosmetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between COSMOS Organic and COSMOS Natural?
COSMOS Organic requires a minimum percentage of agri-ingredients to be certified organic and allows the product to be labelled as “organic.” COSMOS Natural requires all ingredients to be of natural origin but does not require organic sourcing and does not permit the word “organic” on the label. Both are independently audited annually by IONC GmbH. For most brands, COSMOS Organic is appropriate for premium positioning, while COSMOS Natural suits clean beauty ranges where full organic sourcing is not commercially viable.
Does GMP certification cover export to all markets?
ISO 22716 GMP certification is a recognised standard in most major cosmetics import markets. It is a mandatory requirement for the EU (under EC 1223/2009), recognised for GCC import registration, accepted for US MoCRA compliance substantiation, and referenced in Australian TGA cosmetics guidance. In practice, our complete documentation package (COA, MSDS/SDS, Free Sale Certificate, and PIF) covers the requirements for the majority of markets we ship to. Market-specific registration requirements are confirmed at the quotation stage.
Can I use your COSMOS certification on my product label?
Yes, but the certification must be licensed for your specific product. After production under COSMOS standards at our certified facility, your product is eligible for the relevant COSMOS logo license through IONC GmbH. The licensing process involves submitting the product formula and our certification reference for review. Our team provides the documentation needed to support your license application. Certification logo use without a valid product-level license from IONC is not permitted under the COSMOS standard.
Request Certified Production
Certified natural and organic production is available from MOQ 500 units per SKU. If you are planning a product range requiring COSMOS Organic, COSMOS Natural, or NATRUE certification, we recommend starting with a consultation to discuss ingredient feasibility, certification pathway, and cost expectations. Our organic cosmetics private label page covers available product categories and formulation options in detail.
Discuss Your Certification Requirements
Tell us about your product and target market, and we’ll advise on the right certification pathway and provide a cost estimate.