Future of sustainable beauty - RSPO’s insights at in-cosmetics

Published: 1-Apr-2025
Sustainability

The need for sustainable ingredients in cosmetics is higher than ever. At In-cosmetics Global 2025, the RSPO will be engaging with cosmetic brands, ingredient firms and suppliers to promote certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) and support transparency and responsible sourcing

As companies in the personal care sector gear up to meet upcoming regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations, the demand for sustainably sourced ingredients is gaining more importance. At in-cosmetics Global 2024, Dipti Vaidyanathan and Elaine Kapp representing Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) will be on ground, meeting members and engaging with companies to drive the uptake of certified sustainable palm oil.

The regulatory landscape

Upcoming regulations such as the EU Green Claims Directive are reshaping the beauty industry, requiring brands to substantiate sustainability claims. This means adapting to stricter criteria and eliminating brands that use ambiguous green claims in their products. The RSPO Certification provides a framework that is well-placed to support compliance to new standards which could aid businesses against regulatory risks.

Beyond greenwashing: The rise of credible certification

According to a NielsenIQ study, 62% of consumers find sustainability more pivotal today than two years ago, reflecting the growing consumer focus on sustainability.  Consumers want to trust the labels they see, and verified third-party certification schemes provide that credibility. 

RSPO Certification, for example, ensures that palm-derived ingredients, widely used in the cosmetic sector as emulsifiers, surfactants, and stabilisers, are sourced ethically and sustainably, without deforestation and from socially responsible supply chains.

Moreover, RSPO Trademark licenses have grown from less than 100 in 2014 to over 2,600 in 2025 and this signals a shift that brands are now actively using certification as a strategic tool to build credibility, transparency, and meet both consumer expectations and regulatory demands.

New markets & growth opportunities

Sustainability is more than just an ethical choice today, it is becoming a business need. Cosmetic brands, retailers, and hospitality chains increasingly prefer cosmetics products that guarantee sustainable practices. This creates opportunities for ingredient suppliers who can match these expectations to find new clients and forge strategic partnerships. 

Join the RSPO at in-cosmetics Global 2025 to explore how sustainably sourced ingredients can facilitate a more responsible beauty industry. 

  • Companies:
  • Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
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