Sustainable Cosmetics In Brief

Confusion over standards not stopping organic buying: Consumers are becoming more confused about industry standards, but are buying natural and organic personal-care products at increasing rates, according to Amarjit Sahota, president of research firm Organic Monitor. Speaking at the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit March 25 in New York, Sahota estimated the global market for organic personal-care products will swell to $11.7 billion by 2012, up from $7.9 billion in 2008. Ninety-four percent of sales come from consumers in North America and Europe, the U.S. and Germany leading the way. Sahota maintained that universal standards defining "natural" and "organic" are needed, rather than the multiple competing industry standards and certifications that currently exist on either side of the Atlantic