Industry News

Ecovia Intelligence Reports Surge in Ethical Labels Across the Personal Care Industry

New report shows there are around 100 sustainable labels worldwide.

The number of ethical labels in the personal care industry is rapidly increasing.

New research from Ecovia Intelligence reveals that there are now around 100 ethical labels worldwide, each with its own sustainability and ethical criteria.

The COSMOS standard and the Vegan Trademark are currently the most widely used voluntary labels, each adopted by more than 30,000 licensees and both enjoying strong international presence. The adoption of ethical labels vary significantly by region: labels related to health impacts are most influential in North America, while Halal and cruelty-free labels dominate in Asia.

A key trend is the introduction of new labels that focus on single ingredients, green packaging and retailer criteria. In recent years, major beauty retailers – including Sephora and Ulta Beauty – have launched “clean beauty” labels to help consumers identify and purchase products that are better for their health.

A comparative assessment discovered that natural and organic labels and lower environmental impact labels had the highest sustainability credentials. Ecovia Intelligence assessed the leading ethical labels in terms of ethics and sustainability attributes. COSMOS, NATRUE, the EU Ecolabel and Nordic Swan received the highest ratings. Many other labels performed strongly on specific criteria but achieved lower overall scores.

The report raises important questions about the future of ethical labelling. While consumer demand for ethical and “clean beauty” products is a major driver, trust remains a concern. The proliferation of seals and logos risks confusing consumers, potentially undermining confidence. Greenwashing continues to pose a significant challenge for the industry.

Regulations are expected to play a greater role in the coming years. Indonesia is making the Halal label mandatory for personal care products, demonstrating how voluntary schemes can become compulsory. The industry also awaits the EU Green Claims Directive, which initially proposed restrictions on the number of eco-labels permitted in the European market.

The full report is here at Strategic Insights – Ethical Labels for Personal Care Products.

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