B-Corp, Peta, COSMOS, RSPO... : what do they stand for?

Launched in the United States in 2006, the B-Corp label is a certification granted by the NGO B-Lab to companies wishing to distinguish themselves from their competitors. This label then expanded to Europe and appeared in Switzerland in 2014, followed by France in 2015. Certified companies incorporate social, societal and environmental objectives into their operational processes.

This certification covers five key areas: governance, employees, community, environment, and customers. B-Corp certified companies must justify their practices and be accountable, particularly in terms of energy sourcing, waste and water management, employee wellbeing, diversity, and transparency.

This B-Corp certification is valid for three years after being granted. Every three years, companies are thus re-evaluated, and are therefore encouraged to improve their performance. Interested companies must undergo an online self-assessment. It is necessary to fill out a form to make known the practices in favour of the environment, relationships with stakeholders and the adopted governance model. Achieving a score of 80/200 at a minimum is required for the company to be labelled as B-Corp.

As a purpose-driven company, committed to environmental sustainability and making a positive impact on society, Typology is B-Corp certified.

Established in the United States in the 1980s, the PETA label is issued by the international association of the same name: PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. This certification rewards companies that offer products considered "cruelty-free", meaning not tested on animals. This rule applies equally on European soil as well as other markets, and also pertains to the ingredients. Furthermore, this label guarantees an absence of ingredients of animal origin.

Meeting all these criteria, Typology skincare products are labelled PETA "Animal Test Free and Vegan".

Consumers seeking organic and natural cosmetic care can refer to labels to ensure their nature. The COSMOS certification is among the most recognised standards in the field of skincare. This label is awarded to companies using ingredients of natural origin and derived from organic farming.

The processes of production and packaging must also be environmentally friendly. Furthermore, certain petrochemical ingredients are prohibited, such as parabens, phenoxyethanol, and synthetic fragrances and dyes. Finally, the packaging must be recyclable.

COSMOS certified products must contain between 95 to 100% of ingredients of natural origin and 20% of organic ingredients. This is the case for the majority of Typology treatments belonging to the PLANTES range. These products are certified organic and meet the naturalness criteria of the COSMOS standard. Furthermore, Typology commits to ensuring that all its formulas contain at least 80% of ingredients of natural origin.

The "Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil" label, or more simply RSPO, is a certification relating to palm oils. Specifically, it confirms the use of sustainable palm oil. The RSPO label certifies that a company favours a production of palm oil that is economically viable, ecologically suitable, and socially beneficial. Companies benefiting from this label meet precise labelling criteria defined in an RSPO charter.

To qualify for this label, the brand must implement a policy focused on transparency and comply with legal regulations, such as land use and property rights. Furthermore, the cultivation process of palm oil should not involve any deforestation of forest areas and should promote the work of small farmers. Finally, the plantations must be monitored regularly by independent and accredited inspectors.

All palm-based ingredients used by Typology are RSPO certified, ensuring sustainable production.

Nature and Progress is an association established in 1964, bringing together producers, craftsmen, and consumers. The label of the same name is awarded to companies that have joined this association and commit to adhering to a technical specification with the aim of meeting the requirements of organic farming. Furthermore, this label prohibits the use of a large number of harmful substances and requires products to be biodegradable.

The objective of Nature and Progress is simple: to enable consumers to identify which food and cosmetic products are respectful of the environment, human beings, and animals. The charter of this label revolves around four main pillars.

• Natural : respect for the environment, animals, and natural balances.

• Energy : promotion of renewable energies, use of eco-construction techniques and limitation of resource wastage.

• Social : Solidarity and cooperation between producers and artisans.

• Origin : preference for local supply chains and small-scale economy.

Established in 2004, the Ecogarantie label is a Belgian label with an international mission. It is one of the strictest on the market and requires that all natural ingredients present in the product are sourced from organic farming. Furthermore, no GMOs, nanomaterials or petrochemical ingredients should be used during the production of the product.

The Ecogarantie label is also committed to animal welfare and prohibits the use of raw materials of animal origin as well as animal testing. Finally, synthetic preservatives are banned, unless there is no natural alternative, and packaging must not be made from polluting plastics.

Taking its name from the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest, the Demeter label proposes a holistic approach to farming, known as biodynamics, to respect the Earth. The principle behind Demeter is to rely on a cooperation between humans and nature, balancing between traditions and new techniques.

Furthermore, the Demeter label for cosmetic products guarantees a minimum of 90% of ingredients derived from biodynamic agriculture and 10% from organic farming, as well as recyclable packaging. Finally, no animal testing is permitted, and the finished product must not contain any nanoparticles or fragrances.

The Fairtrade label is one of the most internationally recognised ethical labels. It guarantees small producer cooperatives a fair and stable price for their products, thus promoting sustainable business relationships. In addition to assessing the organisational structure, the Fairtrade label checks initiatives aimed at preserving the environment and ensuring employee safety. This label includes two main aspects: environmental and social.

• Environmental Aspect : Among the environmental requirements of the Fairtrade label, we can mention the implementation of sustainable farming, the protection of natural resources, and the prohibition of pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

• Social Aspect : The Fairtrade label recognises companies where employees are protected and have equal rights and wages. Furthermore, child labour is prohibited, which is regularly monitored by the association in high-risk countries.

The Natrue label is highly popular in natural cosmetics. The basic rules to be Natrue certified are: prohibition of using GMOs, substances derived from petrochemicals, fragrances, and animal testing. Moreover, preference is given to reduced, recyclable, and even reusable packaging. Furthermore, at least 95% of the ingredients present in the formula must be of natural origin. There are also several levels of certification for the Natrue label. The first meets the requirements mentioned above. The other two are detailed below:

• Level 2: Partially organic natural cosmetics.

  In addition to the previous restrictions, at least 70% of the natural ingredients present in the skincare product must be derived from organic farming.

• Level 3: Organic Cosmetics.

  Level 3 Natrue labelled products must contain over 95% of ingredients sourced from controlled organic farming.

The Soil Association Organic label is committed to healthy and sustainable agriculture and food. The criteria to obtain the Soil Association Organic label are stringent. Products must contain ingredients from organic farming, with a requirement of 100% for plant ingredients and at least 70% natural ingredients in the overall product. Furthermore, these products must not contain additives, nanomaterials or GMOs.

Furthermore, the label requires that the skincare products have a minimal packaging, with a view to reducing waste, and if possible without PVC, in order to minimise their environmental impact. This focus on packaging reflects the overall commitment of the Soil Association Organic label towards sustainability and environmental responsibility throughout the supply chain.

Established in 1992, the European Ecolabel is the only official European ecological label that can be used in all member countries of the European Union. It was introduced with the aim of promoting products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle. For a product to be granted the European Ecolabel, it must contribute to preventing water pollution by limiting the quantity of potentially harmful ingredients and the total toxic load of the product.

Furthermore, the surfactants used in skincare must be easily biodegradable and the sourcing of palm oil and its derivatives must be sustainable. Finally, only a primary packaging is permitted with the aim of reducing the product's environmental impact.