Initiated by Gensee DNA (a company specializing in the analysis of the DNA of plants, algae and bee products), the DNA & Cosmetics consortium aims to provide models to the cosmetics and perfumery sector to ensure the safety of vegetable raw materials and allow better control of natural resources, from the plant to the consumer.
Using a scientific method based on DNA analysis, consortium members [1] plan build the first reliable database that will guarantee the botanical authenticity of plant resources used in their products.
Guarantee the authenticity of plant-based raw materials
The members of this consortium wish to commit to safer supplies and controlled exploitation of plant resources used for the formulation of cosmetic products. The main objective is to be able, when purchasing natural raw materials, to ensure that brands and their suppliers are sourcing the right plant (belonging to the desired botanical family, genus and species) .
These challenges meet the growing expectations of consumers in terms of security, authenticity and transparency. They are also of major importance in the context of the application of the Nagoya Protocol.
Reliable and precise technology
DNA analysis technology can identify plant species and even varieties with high reliability: this analysis allows for example to distinguish the white lily (candidum lily) of the royal white lily (Lilium regales).
By way of illustration, the consortium has undertaken scientific work on lavender, an emblematic species in the cosmetics and perfumery sectors.
According to the founders of the consortium – both cosmetics groups and ingredient suppliers – this initiative allows companies to take concrete action to accelerate the ecological and solidarity transition while contributing to everyone’s health by guaranteeing the absence of fraud on raw materials.
