EcoBeautyScore: Decoding Environmental Scores with Ecocert

Faced with growing environmental challenges, consumers are increasingly mindful of the impact of the products they use every day. In the cosmetics sector, this expectation has led to the emergence of environmental rating systems designed to make the environmental footprint of products more transparent.

Two major initiatives stand out today: the Green Impact Index, created in France, and the EcoBeautyScore, an international initiative that we will now present to you.

• The EcoBeautyScore guarantees

Created through international collaboration, the EcoBeautyScore Association, this system is based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology using a database of the impacts of ingredients and packaging materials. It is aligned with the European Union's Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) principles.

Key points of the EcoBeautyScore:

📌 Assessment of the environmental impact of cosmetic products using 16 indicators (carbon emissions, water consumption, resources, etc.)

📌 Rating from A to E, comparable between products in the same category. The “A” rating distinguishes the products with the best environmental performance according to the EcoBeautyScore. Conversely, the “E” rating designates those with the highest impact, for which improvement measures must be taken as a priority.

📌 Digital platform for calculating impacts and scores

📌Mandatory audit prior to publication, carried out by an independent third party such as Ecocert

📌 Rating visible on cosmetic products. Although optional, it can be made available to consumers.

The aim is to facilitate responsible choices by providing consumers with clear information on the environmental impact of cosmetics. At the same time, this enables brands to understand and reduce the ecological footprint of their products.

• Ecocert's role: ensuring the reliability of scoring

Ecocert is a partner of the Association and has been working with brands since 2025 as an independent verification body. Our mission is to ensure that brands use scoring tools correctly by verifying the quality of the data entered for calculating scores and the compliance of processes through rigorous audits.

For EcoBeautyScore, our consulting and training subsidiary Des Enjeux et des Hommes was asked to conduct a critical review of the methodology and analyze any discrepancies with upcoming regulations in order to ensure compliance and contribute to the implementation of a third-party verification system, enabling brands to have their application of the EcoBeautyScore approach audited by approved bodies.

Recommendations were made to strengthen the robustness and transparency of the system. We are continuing our discussions with the Association to support developments in the standards and promote the integration of our proposals.

• A constantly improving approach

Ecocert is committed to supporting initiatives that promote better consumer information, while ensuring that they comply with regulatory requirements and sustainability standards.

We believe that a diversity of tools can enrich the debate, provided that they are reliable, transparent, and verified. But beyond their methodological quality, it is essential that they enable concrete transformation of actions in the field. With this in mind, we collaborate with project leaders to collectively advance industry standards and promote real improvement in the environmental and societal impact of cosmetic products.

The EcoBeautyScore approach is part of the innovative landscape of new environmental labeling systems, along with other initiatives such as the Green Impact Index, with which Ecocert also collaborates.

• In summary

Rating systems complement natural and organic cosmetics labels such as COSMOS, which we have been promoting for over 20 years at Ecocert. These labels guarantee strong commitments in terms of formulation, ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, and respect for biodiversity.

Environmental scoring systems, on the other hand, provide additional information based on quantitative and multi-criteria data, enabling the overall impact of cosmetic products to be assessed throughout their life cycle. Together, these approaches contribute to greater transparency and sustainable transformation of the sector.

“Ecocert is committed to these initiatives to ensure the reliability, transparency, and robustness of the scores displayed, as an independent certification body. Because responsible cosmetics begin with clear and accessible information, Ecocert is committed to providing greater transparency so that beauty goes hand in hand with sustainability.” - Sara Mayor, Head of the Cosmetics and Household Products Business Unit.

Would you like to learn more about environmental rating systems and how they work? Feel free to contact us to discuss solutions tailored to your needs.