The Guideline on Organic and Natural Cosmetic Product Claims (the “Guideline”) has taken effect in Turkey on 31.08.2012 by the approval of Turkish Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Institution. It has been prepared to guide the producers about the scope, content and claims of the cosmetic products containing the words “organic” or “natural”.

The fundamental principles adopted by the Guideline are related to the content requirements and the rules for true product claims. Namely, under Article 5 of the Guideline, it’s been set out that only natural substances and mixtures can be used in organic cosmetic products other than the formulation preservatives and natural synthetic modified substances. In addition to this, the herbal, animal and mineral components used in cosmetic products should not contain parts and contaminants that harm human health. The use of synthetic materials or mixtures like essences, antioxidants, synthetic oils, ethoxylated raw materials, UV filters in organic cosmetic products is not recommended. It also forbidden to use components produced from genetically modified organisms.

Article 6 of the Guideline specifies water, mineral substances, preservatives and emulgators and surfactant (surface active agents) as the permitted to be used in organic cosmetic products.

As regards the labels and promotion materials, Article 8 of the Guideline rules that the promotional claims regarding the content, efficiency, security and other qualities of cosmetic products should not be misleading. The labels should not contain statements and information which are misleading and related to the qualities which the product does not bear. If the product is not an organic or natural product, then the terms “natural” and “organic” should not be used within the commercial name of the cosmetic product. It is also set out that the statements and visuals indicating that the product is “100 % natural” or “100 % organic” can only be used as long as the necessary conditions are provided with documents. The organic ingredients in the cosmetic product should be indicated in the ingredient list of the product and the usage information should also be added on the label of the product.

It seems that putting these rules on a legal guideline basis will be very useful in respect of cosmetic product producers as well as in respect of consumers.

Başak Gürbüz
Maral Sayan