With more and more consumers growing increasingly concerned with environmental issues, as well as natural skin care, the organics cosmetics market is continuing to boom.

However, until now the industry has been largely unmonitored, with no official legal requirement for manufacturers to certify their products as 'organic'.

Despite the lack of legal guidelines the organisation has now developed its Cosmetics and Bodycare standard that will see organic products tested by the recognised and independent third party - a move that is hoped to revolutionise the industry and bring more confidence to consumers.

Based on the EU organic regulation (EC2092/91) and the Nordic Ecolabelling Standards, the new directive requires cosmetic manufacturers to adhere to a list of principles and objectives, with the main aim to use as many organic ingredients as possible, with minimal processing.

The main principles are aimed at ensuring that the products are of high quality and optimum for their purpose, with 'the entire production, processing and distribution chain being socially just and ecologically responsible'.

Amongst many other environmental issues apparent in the cosmetic industry, the standard shows a strict policy on animal testing.

Conceding that many ingredients used in cosmetics have been tested on animals in the past, something that cannot be changed, the standard states that no further testing should be done on used or finished products.

However, as with all the points outlined in the Standard, the organisation states that if required by law then animal testing is accepted, further emphasising that its new standard is in addition to legal requirements, and does not replace them.

The standard is not as strict on the inclusion of additives in cosmetics as may have been expected, with the organisation stating, "Additives are not generally allowed in organic products but it is recognised that some, such as preservatives, may be necessary for cosmetics because the products have long shelf lives and are subject to varying temperatures".

"Others may be used as reagents, for example in the saponification of organic raw materials to make soap."

Organic manufacturers who adhere to the rules, and are approved under the standard are able to display the OF&G Cosmetic and Bodycare logo on their packaging, premises and marketing material, in turn being more desirable to the 'green' consumer.