The BDIH, a German Association that has developed guidelines for Certified Natural Cosmetics, serves as an "Association for Safety" in the health care and personal care industries. The BDIH is a member of both the European Health Product Manufacturers Association (EHPM) and the German Federation of Food Law and Food Science (BLL).

"Products bearing the BDIH seal of approval use natural ingredients like high-quality plant-based oils, fats and waxes, herbal extracts, floral waters or essential oils and aromatherapy fragrances, obtained wherever possible from controlled biological cultivation, or controlled biological wild collection. No organic-synthetic dyes, synthetics fragrances, ethoxylated raw materials, silicon, paraffin or other mineral oil derivatives are used." (BDIH) 

 

In 1996, working together with leading natural cosmetics producers, the BDIH developed comprehensive guidelines for certified natural cosmetics, keeping in mind the expectations of consumers. On the basis of these guidelines, an independent institute has tested hundreds of products for their contents and production methods.

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Criteria For Certification of Products:

During the collection and production of raw materials, nature is to be disturbed as little as possible. Particular care to protect endangered species is mandated. Genetic manipulation and modification are rejected. The transformation of raw materials into cosmetics is to be accomplished with care and with few chemical processes. Renewable and biodegradable materials are preferred because their ecological impact is substantially lower, especially when they come from certified organic sources or other responsible means using natural resources. With natural ingredients, one deals with substances that have been used and studied for ages, so there is a minimal toxicity potential. Natural products most easily fulfill the requirement of accountability and socially responsible production.

The choice of technical production methods is limited. Technical methods cannot be fully eliminated especially when the user's expectations for purity and performance cannot be met by raw materials in their natural state. Environmentally friendly production methods, renewable and biodegradable materials and minimal use of packaging are expected. The following guidelines define the concept of natural cosmetics in a sensible and clear manner, with the consumer's expectations of safe and ecologically sound products in mind.