Legislation on European certification standards for organic detergents and cosmetics
7.2.2011
Question for written answer E-001326/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Michail Tremopoulos (Verts/ALE)
Consumers trust organic food on the basis of its certification which, grounded in European legislation, guarantees that products do not contain chemical residues. Today several different certification standards are available for organic cosmetics in Europe (Germany: NATRUE, BDIH, Italy: ICEA, France: ECOCERT, UK: SOIL ASSOCIATION, etc.); a common standard (COSMOS) has finally been created, but without resolving all their differences. The development of all these standards, shows increased consumer interest in organic cosmetics, but they do not apply everywhere, nor are they mandatory or common to all Member States. Detergents and personal hygiene products face similar problems. Consumer organisations have requested all the legal loopholes to be filled and have submitted specific proposals[1] to this effect.
In view of the above, will the Commission say:
- 1.Is it aware of the situation on the market for organic cosmetics and detergents and of the issues it creates for consumers and businesses?
- 2.What initiatives will it take? Does it intend to promote the adoption of an EU regulation in this area, taking into account experience so far, in order to ensure the harmonisation of rules for organic cosmetics and detergents in all Member States?
- [1] http://www.vzhh.de/ernaehrung/30538/greenwashing-bei-kosmetik.aspx
OJ C 286 E, 30/09/2011