Want to ensure your fragrance is safe and responsibly made? Certifications can help. These marks verify that perfumes meet strict standards for ingredient safety, sourcing, and production. But not all claims are created equal - some are backed by rigorous checks, while others are just marketing. Here’s what you need to know:
Key Certifications: Look for labels like Ecocert, COSMOS ORGANIC, or NATRUE for natural and organic ingredients. IFRA Standards ensure safety limits for fragrance components.
Where to Check: Certification logos are often on the packaging or ingredient list. For IFRA compliance, ask brands for a Certificate of Conformity.
Verify Authenticity: Use certifiers’ databases like COSMOS or Ecocert to confirm a product’s credentials.
Why It Matters: Certified fragrances exclude harmful chemicals, prioritize responsible sourcing, and offer transparency.
Are there Organic or Natural Fragrance Options Available? — Fragrance: 101
Understanding certification standards is key to identifying fragrances that align with sustainable practices. Certifications can differ significantly - some involve stringent third-party audits, while others rely on self-regulation. Let’s take a closer look at how certifications like Ecocert, COSMOS, and others set these benchmarks.
Ecocert is a certification body that evaluates the entire supply chain to ensure compliance with organic and ecological standards. It’s a trusted name across industries like cosmetics, textiles, and eco-products.
"The Ecocert brand is the benchmark for organic and ecological labeling, trusted by consumers." — Ecocert
The COSMOS (COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard) certification offers two distinct labels: COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL. COSMOS ORGANIC requires a minimum percentage of organic ingredients, while COSMOS NATURAL ensures compliance with general ecological criteria without mandating organic thresholds.
Both certifications emphasize ingredient sourcing, environmental protection, and green chemistry. They promote biodiversity, renewable materials, and recyclable packaging. To verify a product’s certification, look for the Ecocert logo or COSMOS label, which often includes the organic percentage on the packaging.
By contrast, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) takes a different approach, focusing on ingredient safety.
EWG Verified
The EWG Verified mark ensures that a product meets strict safety and transparency standards. Products with this certification are evaluated against EWG’s database of chemical safety, avoiding ingredients flagged for potential health or environmental risks. Additionally, brands must disclose all ingredients to earn this mark.
Global standards like IFRA and ISO 9235 also play an important role in maintaining safety and purity.
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards are science-based guidelines for fragrance creation. These standards are developed with input from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) and reviewed by an independent Expert Panel.
IFRA outlines three levels of ingredient regulation: Prohibition (banned substances), Restriction (limited use), and Specification (purity criteria). New guidelines typically allow 12 months for new products and 24 months for existing ones to comply.
On the other hand, ISO 9235 focuses on natural aromatic raw materials. This standard defines and certifies essential oils and other natural components to ensure they meet purity requirements.
To confirm compliance with IFRA standards, look for an IFRA Certificate of Conformity. While this certificate is issued by fragrance manufacturers - not IFRA itself - it verifies that a fragrance mixture adheres to safety guidelines for its intended use. However, it’s important to note that this document doesn’t replace a full safety assessment.
Certification Standard
Focus Area
Key Verification Criteria
COSMOS ORGANIC
Organic Cosmetics
Minimum organic ingredient percentages; production process audits
COSMOS NATURAL
Natural Cosmetics
General compliance without organic percentage requirements
IFRA Standards
Fragrance Safety
Bans (Prohibition), limits (Restriction), or purity rules (Specification)
ISO 9235
Natural Raw Materials
Definitions and certification of aromatic natural raw materials
Ecocert
Organic/Ecological
On-site inspections; traceability from raw material to finished product
These certifications are essential tools for making informed, sustainable fragrance choices.
Step 2: Find Certification Marks on Packaging
Once you’re familiar with the key certification standards, the next step is to locate these marks on actual product packaging. Certification logos can be tricky to spot - they’re not always prominently displayed and can vary in placement depending on the packaging design and the type of certification.
Where to Look for Certification Logos
Start by checking both the front and back of fragrance boxes. For example, the EU Ecolabel, recognizable by its flower logo with stars as petals and a "€" symbol, is typically found on the packaging or included inserts.
For COSMOS certifications, look for a two-part logo: the certifier’s symbol positioned above text that reads either "COSMOS ORGANIC" or "COSMOS NATURAL".
"COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL will always appear right below the logo/mark of the responsible certifier or association, so consumers will be able to recognise known and trusted associations and certifiers." — COSMOS-standard
Additionally, check other areas of the packaging or accompanying documents for more details. For example, organic percentages are often displayed near the ingredient list or alongside the certification logo. If the product is certified by Ecocert, look for codes like "FR — BIO-01" (specific to France) or similar codes in the "ISO country code — BIO-154" format.
Keep in mind that IFRA (International Fragrance Association) does not provide consumer-facing logos. Any product claiming to be "IFRA Certified" is misleading. Instead, IFRA compliance is confirmed through business-to-business documentation, such as a Certificate of Conformity.
Understanding Label Claims
Beyond certification logos, it’s important to examine label claims carefully to ensure they’re legitimate. Terms like "natural" or "organic" aren’t always backed by third-party verification. Always cross-check these claims with certification marks to separate verified standards from mere marketing buzzwords.
When you see the term "organic" on a label, look for the corresponding percentage of organic ingredients. COSMOS-certified products, for instance, must display this percentage, calculated either as a proportion of the total product or excluding water and minerals. This helps clarify whether the product qualifies as COSMOS ORGANIC or falls under the COSMOS NATURAL category.
The term "natural" also warrants close attention. Look for references to standards like ISO 9235, which defines aromatic natural raw materials, or certifications like the NATRUE seal, which authenticates natural and organic cosmetics. Without these marks, the term "natural" might simply be a marketing tactic.
Claims such as "sustainably sourced" should also be tied to credible certifications. For example, the EU Ecolabel represents products that rank within the top 10% to 20% of the market for environmental performance. This Type I ecolabel (ISO 14024) is third-party verified and evaluates the entire lifecycle of the product.
Certification Mark
What to Look For
Typical Location
EU Ecolabel
The "EU flower" logo
Front/back of box, promotional materials
COSMOS ORGANIC
"COSMOS ORGANIC" text below certifier logo
Back panel, near ingredient list
COSMOS NATURAL
"COSMOS NATURAL" text below certifier logo
Back panel, near ingredient list
Ecocert
"Certified by Ecocert" wording or codes (FR — BIO-01)
Back panel, certification area
Organic %
Numerical percentage (e.g., "95% organic")
Near certification mark or ingredient list
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Spotting a certification logo is just the first step. What really matters is making sure that certification is the real deal and not just a marketing gimmick. Thankfully, most major certifying organizations offer tools to help you verify their claims.
Check Official Certification Databases
Start by searching the certifier’s official database. For instance, COSMOS provides a public "PRODUCTS" database where you can look up specific items to confirm their ORGANIC or NATURAL status. Similarly, Ecocert has a searchable directory covering over 150 standards, including cosmetics and home fragrances.
For products certified by Ecocert, you can also verify packaging codes (like FR — BIO-01 or ISO country code — BIO-154) using their system to ensure they’re authentic.
When it comes to IFRA, things work a bit differently. IFRA doesn’t issue certificates directly. Instead, manufacturers use an official template to declare compliance. You can verify IFRA compliance by checking their Standards Library, where you can search specific ingredient rules using the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number.
"IFRA itself does not issue certificates, nor does it authorize any third-party organization to certify on its behalf. Every supplier signs responsible for establishing and providing an IFRA certificate of conformity." – IFRA
If you still have doubts after checking these databases, it’s time to take the next step: contacting the brand directly.
Ask Brands Directly
If you can’t find a product in a certifier’s database or need more clarity, reach out to the brand. Ask them for specific documentation, such as the IFRA Certificate of Conformity or the certificate issued by Ecocert.
When making your request, be as detailed as possible. Mention the certifying body, the date of certification, and the product in question. Brands that have gone through the effort of obtaining genuine certifications are usually happy to provide the necessary documentation.
Once you’re familiar with identifying and verifying certifications, it’s time to experience certified fragrances for yourself. With Scento’s curated decants, you can sample these fragrances without committing to a full-sized bottle.
How Scento Confirms Fragrance Authenticity
Scento guarantees the authenticity of every fragrance by working only with manufacturers that adhere to the IFRA Code of Practice. This self-regulatory framework is followed by companies representing about 80% of the global fragrance market. Each fragrance comes with a Certificate of Conformity to IFRA Standards, ensuring it meets global safety and environmental regulations.
To further verify safety, Scento cross-checks ingredients against the IFRA Transparency List, which includes 3,691 entries as of 2025. For products claiming to be natural or organic, Scento highlights those certified by standards like Ecocert. This certification requires all ingredients to be 100% natural in origin, with at least 95% of plant-based ingredients sourced from organic farming. Such meticulous verification ensures that every fragrance you sample is both certified and safe.
Explore Fragrances in Smaller Sizes
Scento takes this verification process a step further by offering decants in three sizes - 0.75ml, 2ml, and 8ml. These smaller options let you test how certified fragrances interact with your skin before investing in a full bottle. This is especially useful because your skin’s pH and natural oils can subtly change how a fragrance smells. Additionally, sustainably produced fragrances often come with a higher price tag due to their premium ingredients and ethical sourcing practices.
Decants also allow you to experience how a fragrance evolves throughout the day and in different environments. Factors like heat and humidity can emphasize certain notes, revealing nuances you might miss otherwise. Plus, they’re perfect for patch testing, which is crucial since natural essential oils can sometimes trigger allergic reactions.
"Consumers expect transparency now. When you read an ingredient label for a fragrance, you basically see alcohol... along with fragrance or parfum, which is a Trojan horse of what could literally be thousands of ingredients." – Cat Chen, Founder and CEO, Skylar
Conclusion: Choose Certified Fragrances With Confidence
When you know what to look for, verifying certifications becomes straightforward. Logos like Ecocert, COSMOS, or NATRUE serve as quick identifiers of certified sustainable fragrances. To ensure authenticity, cross-check these certifications through official databases or brand-provided documents. These logos reflect the standards met, helping you make informed decisions with ease.
Understanding these certifications helps you align your purchases with your values. They confirm ingredient safety and responsible sourcing practices, giving you peace of mind. Since IFRA members are responsible for around 80% of the global fragrance supply, checking for IFRA compliance adds an extra layer of assurance about a product’s safety profile.
Before committing to a purchase, sampling is key - especially since certified sustainable fragrances often come with premium pricing due to ethical sourcing and high-quality ingredients. Scento’s decants offer a practical way to test certified fragrances on your skin over time, ensuring they meet your expectations. This thoughtful approach not only helps you find a scent you love but also minimizes waste from unwanted purchases, contributing to a more sustainable future.
FAQs
How can I check if a fragrance is certified as sustainable?
To confirm whether a fragrance’s sustainability certification is legitimate, start by checking for a certification logo on the packaging or in the product description. Trusted certifiers like NATRUE, COSMOS, and Ecocert have official logos that should be easy to match with the ones provided by these organizations. Some products may also include registration numbers or QR codes, which you can verify directly on the certifier’s website.
If the details are vague, dig a little deeper. Compare the claims made - such as the percentage of organic ingredients - with the standards outlined by the certifying body. Retailers like Scento often include detailed certification information in their product listings and can supply additional documentation upon request. These steps can help confirm that the fragrance adheres to verified sustainability standards.
What is the difference between COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL certifications?
COSMOS ORGANIC certification guarantees that at least 95% of plant-based ingredients in a product are organic, with a minimum of 20% of the total formula meeting organic standards (this drops to 10% for rinse-off products). It’s important to note that water and minerals are excluded from the organic calculation under this certification.
COSMOS NATURAL, on the other hand, ensures that nearly 99% of ingredients are derived from natural sources, with only a small allowance for specific synthetic components. Unlike COSMOS ORGANIC, this certification does not mandate a minimum percentage of organic ingredients in the formula.
While both certifications prioritize sustainability and clear ingredient labeling, COSMOS ORGANIC places a greater focus on organic content.
Why should I choose certified sustainable fragrances?
Choosing perfumes with certified sustainable credentials means your fragrance meets high standards for environmental care, ethical practices, and safety. Certifications such as NATRUE, Ecocert, or the IFRA — IOFI Sustainability Charter ensure ingredients are responsibly sourced, petrochemical usage is kept to a minimum, and waste and emissions are actively managed. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also helps preserve biodiversity and supports ethical farming communities.
These certifications also emphasize consumer safety. Fragrances undergo extensive testing to confirm they are free from harmful substances. Moreover, they provide transparency and traceability, ensuring every step - from sourcing raw materials to crafting the final product - is accountable. Opting for certified sustainable fragrances reflects a thoughtful choice, blending personal preferences with a dedication to environmental and ethical values.
