The ISO 16128 Standard provides guidelines on the definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. It aims to harmonize global standards, making it easier for manufacturers to substantiate their products' natural or organic content claims. Unlike certification programs, ISO 16128 is a technical framework that does not certify products but offers a standardized approach to calculating and communicating ingredient origins. It’s globally applicable to ensure consistency in calculating and communicating natural and organic claims.
Cosmetic product manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and brands seeking to label products as natural or organic.
ISO 16128 Standard does not decide, determine, or certify natural or organic cosmetic product claims from businesses. Instead, it provides a unified approach to defining natural and organic ingredients and products. It aims to enhance transparency by enabling brands to accurately calculate and communicate the natural content of their products, thereby reducing greenwashing by creating a measurable framework for claims. It also provides better market access by supporting compliance with market expectations for natural and organic products across regions.
For the health and beauty industry, this standard enhances transparency, helping brands communicate natural ingredient claims more clearly while reducing greenwashing. It also supports regulatory alignment, allowing companies to comply with evolving sustainability requirements across global markets. Unlike stricter organic certifications, ISO 16128 permits some synthetic processing, giving brands greater formulation flexibility while maintaining "natural" claims. Additionally, as retailers and regulatory bodies prioritize sustainability, ISO 16128 helps brands demonstrate compliance, improving marketability and consumer trust. Ultimately, this standard enables beauty companies to balance sustainability, transparency, and product innovation in an increasingly eco-conscious market.
| 2016 | Part 1 of ISO 16128 published, focusing on ingredient definitions and classifications. |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Part 2 of ISO 16128 released, detailing natural and organic content calculation methods. |
| Ongoing | Growing adoption as brands align with ISO standards. |
Here’s a breakdown of the key definitions from ISO 16128 Standards you need to know:
Natural Ingredients:
These come straight from nature—plants, minerals, or animals. In cosmetics, this means physically extracting ingredients (like pressing or grinding) without chemical changes. Think aloe vera extract—it’s a pure natural ingredient.
Natural-Origin Ingredients:
These start as natural ingredients but go through some level of chemical or biological processing. For a product to qualify as nature-based, at least 50% of its makeup must be natural. A good example here is glycerin, which often meets this standard.
Organic Ingredients:
These are natural ingredients grown using organic farming methods or harvested from the wild by specific national or international standards. Vegetable oils from organic farms fall into this category.
Organic-Origin Ingredients:
These natural or organic ingredients are processed chemically or biologically, but importantly, they don’t contain any fossil-derived components. For example, Organic jojoba ester is 100% natural and an organic-origin ingredient.
By aligning with ISO 16128, health and beauty companies can ensure the credibility of their claims about natural and organic products and clean beauty. This allows brands and suppliers to communicate product claims clearly and build trust with their audience.