Certifications for cosmetics, hygiene and household products

Certifications play an important role for consumers of cosmetics, personal care products and household cleaners for various reasons:

Safety and trust: Certifications give consumers confidence that products meet certain safety standards. They can trust that the products contain no harmful ingredients and have no negative effects on their skin or health.
Transparency and traceability: Certifications often require transparent disclosure of ingredients and manufacturing processes. This allows consumers to make informed decisions and choose products that match their personal values and needs.
Environmental awareness: Some certifications, such as organic or environmental certifications, signal that the products have been produced in a more environmentally friendly way. Consumers who are environmentally conscious may favor such certifications to reduce their ecological footprint.
Ethics and social responsibility: Certain certifications may also indicate that the products have been manufactured under ethical working conditions or that they are cruelty-free. This appeals to consumers who value ethical business practices and animal welfare.
Health awareness: When it comes to cosmetics and personal care products in particular, consumers are increasingly looking for certifications that indicate that the products are hypoallergenic or suitable for sensitive skin. This is particularly important for people with allergies or skin problems.

Overall, certifications for cosmetics, personal care products and household cleaners can help consumers make informed choices that meet their individual needs, values and beliefs.

SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS tests your products in accordance with the required specifications.

SGS quality seal: Dermatologically tested

NATRUE label for natural and organic cosmetics

EU Ecolabel

Nordic Swan

Blauer Engel

SGS quality seal: Dermatologically tested

Skin compatibility is one of the most important criteria for consumers when choosing cosmetics and body care products. Every second person attaches great importance to this - even more than to a favourable price or a well-known brand. To help consumers find appropriate products, the independent testing institute SGS has developed the test mark "Skin compatibility: dermatologically tested".

The seal is backed by the world's leading testing and certification company SGS, which also includes the laboratories of SGS Institut Fresenius. The test seal "Skin compatibility: dermatologically tested" can be obtained for a whole range of different products - from shampoo to all-purpose cleaners to baby nappies.

The following products can be awarded the seal:

Cosmetic products such as cream, shower gel, shampoo, perfume or bath balls.
Cleaning products such as all-purpose cleaners or hand dishwashing detergents
Hygiene products such as nappies, panty liners, incontinence products or cosmetic wipes
Detergents
Commodities such as gloves, shoe inserts, adhesive bras or textiles
Raw materials for cosmetics, detergents, cleaning agents and cleaning products

The products to be tested are subjected to a so-called epicutaneous test. This test serves to detect a primary skin irritation or a contact allergy with the substance to be tested and is carried out on at least 30 test persons.

The seal of approval is only awarded to products that achieve a "very well skin tolerated" or a "well skin tolerated" rating. Since there are no legal requirements for the evaluation of the characteristic "skin compatibility" in the context of the epicutaneous test, the evaluation criteria of the EU expert publication "Technical document on cosmetic claims" for "dermatogically tested" are used.

A repeat test is due every year. For this, the SGS experts purchase the sealed product on the market and carry out the dermatological tests again.

If you are a manufacturer or retailer and are interested in the certification programme "skin compatibility: dermatologically tested", please contact us.

Do you have questions about testing or certification?

EU Ecolabel

The European Ecolabel is an international quality label for consumer products and services. It is awarded by all EU member states. The awarding body in Germany is RAL gGmbH. SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS GmbH carries out the necessary tests for you, which are required for the application. We can provide the required tests accredited for the following product groups:

Absorbent paper hygiene products
Hand dishwashing products
Machine dishwashing detergents for industrial and institutional use
Machine dishwashing detergents
Laundry detergents
Detergents for industrial and institutional use
Cosmetic products
Animal care products

Nordic Swan

The Nordic Ecolabel, also called the Nordic Swan or "The Swan" for short in Scandinavia, is an eco-label of the Nordic Council of Ministers. It was launched in 1989 and covers about 60 product groups. It is the official eco-label of the Nordic countries.

SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS GmbH carries out the necessary tests for you for the following product groups:

Alternative dry cleaners
Cleaning agents for use in the food industry
Cleaning agents
Cosmetic products
Dishwashing detergents and rinse aids
Dishwashing detergents for professional use
Hand dishwashing detergents
Industrial detergents and degreasers
Detergents and stain removers
Detergents for professional use
Absorbent paper hygiene products

'Blauer Engel'

The Blue Angel is an environmental label awarded in Germany since 1978 for particularly environmentally friendly products and services. The bearer of the label is the Federal Ministry for the Environment.

SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS GmbH carries out the necessary tests for you for the following product groups:

All-purpose cleaners
Feminine hygiene products
Liquid soap
Hand dishwashing detergents
Incontinence products
Cosmetic wipes
Kitchen cleaners
Machine dishwashing detergent
Pipe cleaner
Detergent
Nappies

Certifications for cosmetics, hygiene and household products

EU Ecolabel

'Blauer Engel'

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