Green labelling to be on the agenda at Organic Monitor Masterclass

Organic Monitor aims to encourage green labels and certification schemes in North America with its next Masterclass, giving an update on green standards, market developments, and addressing the technical issues associated with developing natural and organic personal care products.

The Green Labeling Masterclass will take place in San Francisco on 23rd January, 2015, and comprises seminars and an interactive workshop.

According to the London-based organiser, the Masterclass is needed as the North American personal care industry appears to be falling behind Europe in terms of adopting green formulations and certification schemes.

“Although the number of green standards and labels in the personal care industry has mushroomed in recent years, adoption rates remain low in the US and Canada,” says Organic Monitor.

Its own research finds the market value of certified natural and organic personal care products is just $500 m, compared to $2.1 bn in Europe.

Programme

The Masterclass will begin with an update on the most popular natural and organic personal care standards in North America: NPA, NSF ANSI 305 and USDA NOP.

Details will be given of the Whole Foods Market Body Care standard, as well as popular schemes in Europe, such as COSMOS and Natrue.

Organic Monitor will also present its latest findings on the global market for natural and organic personal care products, while Technical Research Manager Judi Beerling, will conduct a workshop on developing these products.

The workshop will tackle the major technical issues of formulating such products and details will be given on the growing palette of green materials that replace synthetics, such as parabens, SLS / SLES, phthalates, and silicones in personal care formulations.

“Guidance will be given on green formulations, as well as how to address issues concerning product safety, stability, efficacy and costs. Practical advice will be given to brands looking to develop pure natural and organic personal care products, as well as those looking to ‘clean up’ existing formulations,” says the workshop write-up.

With some American brands embroiled in costly lawsuits involving false marketing and mislabeling, an update will also be given on the regulatory landscape for green marketing claims and labeling.

Angela Diesch of Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard will give guidance to brands on how to minimize litigation risks and outline strategies to avoid government scrutiny.