Chapter A 8 Section 6 Organic Cosmetics was included in the Austrian Food Code (ÖLMB) on 24.11.2010 as part of the chapter on “agricultural products from organic agriculture and products made from them”. This chapter describes manufacturing, labelling and visual presentation, as well as the advertising of organic cosmetic products. The terms “biologisch” und “ökologisch” (“organic” and “ecologic”) and any derivatives and contractions thereof, such as “Öko” or “Bio” alone or in combination with other words, may only be used if the product and its ingredients meet the requirements of that section in the Austrian Food Code.
The criteria for organic cosmetic products are basically the same as for natural cosmetics, including additional principles taken from the rules for organic foods.
Cosmetics manufactures that want to place their products on the market as organic cosmetic products must have their operations inspected for organic production by a Biokontrollstelle (certification body for organic products), accredited in line with Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.
The inspection body must be shown on the label and its seal can be attached to the product. However, this does not grant the right to affix the Community logo to the packaging, as EU organic food regulations do not apply to cosmetics.
The natural ingredients in organic cosmetic products are classified into natural substances of agricultural origin (plant or animal products) and those with no agricultural origin (mineral resources and water).
Plant and animal-based ingredients with agricultural origins must comply with at least 95 % of the regulations on organic/ecological production (Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 including the implementation regulation). Additionally, there must be an organic minimum with regards to the finished product (see table below). This should prevent unjustified organic claims, such as in the case of a watery solution with a “homeopathic” content of an ingredient in organic quality.
Category | Organic minimum levels in % with regards to the finished product*) |
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Category Oils/water-free hygiene and care products | Organic minimum levels in % with regards to the finished product *) 90 |
Category Perfumes/Eau de Parfum/Eau de Toilette | Organic minimum levels in % with regards to the finished product *) 60 |
Category Emulsions for skin care (W/O) | Organic minimum levels in % with regards to the finished product *) 30 |
Category Other products | Organic minimum levels in % with regards to the finished product *) 20 |
Table: Minimum organic content levels in organic cosmetics
Furthermore, rules were established for up to what level watery mixtures such as distillates, extracts, hydrolates and also re-diluted concentrates may be used to calculate organic content. Only the percentage actually extracted from plants should be used for the calculation of the organic component.
As with natural cosmetic products, only natural scents and aromatic substances may be used that comply with International Standard ISO 9235 and substances listed in the standard having been isolated using physical methods. The approved natural-identical preservation substances are those also authorised for use in natural cosmetics.
The entire text can be found at: Kapitel A 8 Abschnitt 6 Biokosmetik.