Sustainability has become a pivotal factor in today’s consumer product markets. Businesses are being encouraged to consider the environmental impact of all products throughout their lifecycle – from ingredients to manufacturing processes, and packaging to consumer use and disposal.

This is particularly true for the cosmetics and hygiene product industries, where consumers are even more cognizant of the importance of buying safe products that are good for the environment because they intend to use them on their skin. Embracing sustainability not only benefits the planet but also empowers a competitive edge in these markets where consumers are more eco-conscious.

Aspects of sustainability

Manufacturers and suppliers of cosmetics and hygiene products should focus on several key areas to enhance sustainability:

1. Ingredients: opting for eco-friendly ingredients derived from renewable resources with lower carbon footprints is a good way to improve and demonstrate sustainability. This often involves using natural ingredients and avoiding harmful chemicals
2. Packaging: utilizing packaging made from compostable, recycled and/or recyclable materials that are biodegradable is a great way to be sustainable. This approach will not only result in less waste, but it will also reduce our dependence on virgin resources
3. Water: conserving water is an important aspect of any sustainability strategy. Implementing techniques to recycle and reuse water during manufacturing, and developing formulations that require less water, helps to conserve this precious resource
4. Waste: brands should aim to reduce, reuse and recycle throughout the product’s lifecycle, either by introducing more sustainable options (e.g. refillable containers) or designing products that minimize waste

Communicating sustainability to consumers

Trust is a major issue for both consumer and industry. How can a consumer trust the environmental claims that are made for a product? What can a business do to spread the message of its product’s sustainability? The solution is objective, independent testing to assess a product’s impact on both human health and the environment.

Key testing solutions include:

1. Safety testing: this ensures products are free from harmful substances like formaldehyde, heavy metals, allergens, phthalates, pesticides, 1,4-dioxane, endocrine disruptors, etc.
2. Natural ingredients: consumers choose products with natural and/or organic ingredients in the belief they are better for them and the planet. Independent assessment ensures the product contains a high percentage of these ingredients, with no synthetic fragrances. At the same time, the presence/absence of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the ingredients can be identified by using the advanced droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technique – a negative result indicates non-GMO status
3. Biodegradability testing: this evaluates how quickly and completely materials are broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The OECD 301 test series measures biodegradation by considering oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and rate of disappearance. A product is considered readily biodegradable if it breaks down by at least 60% within 28 days
4. Ecotoxicity testing: assess the potential harm a product or ingredient might have on the environment by assessing its impact on aquatic life and other organisms. Acute toxicity test (OECD 236) measures the immediate effects of a product on the organism within a short timeframe, typically 24-96 hours. Chronic toxicity tests evaluate long-term effects from repeated lower exposure. Tests include:

• OECD 201 – aquatic organisms to assess impact on freshwater and marine ecosystems
• OECD 207 – earthworms and plants to assess impact on soil ecosystems
• Activated sludge (bacteria) to assess potential disruption to wastewater treatment processes
• REEFTOX – to assess the short- and medium-term impact of cosmetics on coral species

5. Microplastics and PFAS: a hot topic for all consumer product industries due to the fact they do not degrade over time, microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are now in the regulatory spotlight in many countries. Authorities all over the world are banning the intentional addition of microbeads/synthetic polymer microparticles of a size up to and including 5 mm in rinse-off cosmetics (exfoliants, cleansers, toothpastes, etc.).

Particle identification and characterization can be done by using/combining methods such as light microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). In addition, new methods for detecting PFAS are constantly being developed and introduced

Greenwashing

As more companies make environmental claims, so the risk of greenwashing increases – false or ambiguous declarations for commercial gain. Combating this requires transparency in product labeling, backed by independent third-party testing to verify claims. This will soon become a legal requirement in some territories, such as the European Union (EU), where the upcoming Green Claim Directive, effective from 2026, will mandate quantifiable evidence to support environmental claims.

SGS solutions

As the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, we are committed to offering high-quality testing services to help our customers reduce the environmental impact of their value chain and validate the authenticity of sustainability claims. Our solutions help the cosmetic and hygiene product sectors embrace sustainability, given them strategic advantage in today's eco-conscious markets.

 

Hubert Brundu

Global Technical Manager, Cosmetics & Hygiene

SGS