Formula Swiss information
COSMOS ORGANIC: organic certification for cosmetics
COSMOS ORGANIC is a certification signature for organic cosmetics under the COSMOS-standard, run by an independent non-profit association in Brussels. A product gets it only after an authorised certification body has audited it and confirmed the required share of organic ingredients. Our CBD skincare range carries the COSMOS ORGANIC certification; our CBD oils do not.
Key facts
- Run by
- COSMOS-standard AISBL, a non-profit, international and independent association in Brussels.
- Founded by
- BDIH (Germany), Cosmebio and Ecocert (France), ICEA (Italy) and the Soil Association (UK).
- Product signatures
- COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL. Raw materials: COSMOS CERTIFIED and COSMOS APPROVED.
- Size (COSMOS data, January 2026)
- Over 31,100 products in 80 countries carry the COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL signature.
- Certification bodies (as of October 2026)
- 12 authorised bodies in Europe, Australia and Asia.
- At Formula Swiss
- COSMOS ORGANIC covers our CBD skincare range only.
What is COSMOS ORGANIC certification?
The COSMOS-standard sets the rules for organic and natural cosmetics: where ingredients come from and how they are processed, how much of the finished product must be organic, how it is stored, made and packed, how the producer manages its environmental impact, and what the label may claim (COSMOS-standard AISBL). COSMOS ORGANIC is the signature for products that meet the standard in every respect and also contain the required percentages of organic ingredients.
The label shows the percentage of organic ingredients in the whole product. Because water and minerals can never be organic, some labels also show the organic share without them.
What is the difference between COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL?
| Signature | Used for | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| COSMOS ORGANIC | Finished cosmetics | Meets the standard and the minimum organic percentages |
| COSMOS NATURAL | Finished cosmetics | Meets the standard but not the organic percentages |
| COSMOS CERTIFIED | Raw materials | Agro-ingredients with organic content |
| COSMOS APPROVED | Raw materials | Non-organic ingredients approved for COSMOS products |
Who created the COSMOS-standard, and what is BDIH?
Five organisations founded the COSMOS-standard together: BDIH from Germany, Cosmebio and Ecocert from France, ICEA from Italy and the Soil Association from the UK. They still run it through the COSMOS-standard AISBL, whose board has one representative from each founder. Searches for "BDIH certification" usually refer to this German association, which is one of the five founders.
How does a cosmetic get COSMOS certified?
The producer chooses one of the authorised certification bodies, which inspects the products, the raw materials and the production site. The process includes an audit visit and can take several months; after that, announced or unannounced audits follow as part of a yearly plan (COSMOS-standard AISBL). The certifier's logo then appears directly above the COSMOS signature on the label, so you can see who checked the product.
Which Formula Swiss products are COSMOS ORGANIC?
The COSMOS ORGANIC certification applies to our CBD skincare range only. Our CBD oils are not COSMOS products: their hemp is grown in Central Switzerland following organic principles. Our cosmetics are also certified by The Vegan Society, and production is certified to GMP under ISO 22716. The sustainability page covers energy and packaging.
From our production
Our CBD skincare line is certified to the COSMOS ORGANIC standard. Every batch is tested in Switzerland, and I sign every certificate of analysis myself.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What does COSMOS ORGANIC mean?
COSMOS ORGANIC is a signature for cosmetics that meet the COSMOS-standard in every respect and contain the required percentages of organic ingredients. An authorised certification body audits the product and the production site before the signature can be used.
What is the difference between COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL?
Both signatures require a product to meet the COSMOS-standard in all respects. COSMOS ORGANIC also requires the minimum organic percentages set by the standard; COSMOS NATURAL is for products that comply but do not reach those percentages.
What is BDIH?
BDIH is a German association and one of the five founders of the COSMOS-standard, together with Cosmebio and Ecocert from France, ICEA from Italy and the Soil Association from the UK.
Who certifies COSMOS cosmetics?
Authorised certification bodies. As of January 2026 the COSMOS-standard AISBL listed 12, based in Europe, Australia and Asia. The certifier's logo appears above the COSMOS signature on the label.
Are Formula Swiss CBD oils COSMOS ORGANIC?
No. The COSMOS ORGANIC certification covers our CBD skincare range only. The hemp for our CBD oils is grown following organic principles, and the oils carry no organic certification.
How can I check whether a product is COSMOS certified?
Look for the certifier's logo and the COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL signature on the label, together with the percentage of organic ingredients. The COSMOS website also has a directory of certified products.
COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL are signatures of the COSMOS-standard AISBL. Formula Swiss cosmetics are for use on the skin. Read our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- COSMOS-standard AISBL. COSMOS: natural and organic certification for cosmetics (figures dated January 2026)
- COSMOS-standard AISBL. COSMOS certification: ORGANIC, NATURAL, CERTIFIED, APPROVED
- COSMOS-standard AISBL. About the COSMOS-standard