BDIH

The preambule of the "BDIH Directives" ennunciates its careful attention to making the concept of natural cosmetics transparent, by valuing legitimate waiting periods of consumers in order to assure safe and ecological products. It describes the standards they must respect, equally on the level of exploitation and production of the raw materials and in their transformation.

It is based upon some grand principles:
• Exploitation of the raw materials must disturb nature as little as possible and their transformation undergo few chemical processes.
• Protection of animals and plant species must be assured.
• Packaging must be spare, recylable and respectful of the environment.
• Controlled Natural Cosmetics must only employ substances with low allergenic potential.

The use of vegetable raw materials is recommended, which, as much as possible, issue from controlled biological cultivation or wild gathering as well as equitable trade. The use of the synthetic organic dyes, synthetic aromatic substances, ethoxylated raw materials, silicones, Paraffin and other petrochenmical derivative products s strictly prohibited.

To ensure microbiological safety of products, natural systems of preservation are encouraged, but benzoic, salicylic and sorbic acids as well as Benzyl Alcohol are authorized if in their "natural state".

As for transformation, only some processes are allowed like hydrolysis, hydrogenation, esterification, transesterification or other fissions and condensations of natural substances registered on a limited positive list. Recourse to radioactive radiation and GMO are prohibited.

Finally, no animal testing is allowed, neither on raw materials nor in the course of development, manufacture or control of the finished products.

For further information
• Website of BDIH