TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read):
Buzzwords like organic, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly are everywhere, but what do they actually mean? In Australia, label laws are strict (thankfully!), but some terms are based more on marketing than mandate. Here’s how to tell what’s real, what’s regulated, and what Lemon Myrtle Fragrances stands for when it comes to sustainable, natural products that care for your skin, home, and the planet.
Back to Class: Labels, Laws & Lemon Myrtle Fragrances
Last blog, we unpacked what is really in our lemon myrtle products, product ingredient red flags, and how to give your routine a spring reset with organic, sustainable, and cruelty-free options. But what do these words mean?
This time, class is back in session to give you the 411 on all things whats-in-your-products, but this time with a new focus: the labels that may look small, but carry a big story about what is (or isn’t) in the bottle.
What Labels Are Required on Cosmetic and Cleaning Products?
In Australia, labels are more than decoration. They’re your guarantee of transparency, safety, and money well spent.
For cosmetics, the labels that are required on a product are dictated by the 2020 mandatory standard and include:
- A full ingredient list
- The business name and address
- Product weight or volume
- Expiry or use-by date
- Any warnings (complying with poison standards) or directions for use
For cleaning, products must include:
- Any hazard identifications (e.g. chemical warnings)
- Safe storage, use, and disposal instructions
- An ingredient list
- The business name and address
These standards ensure your skin and space stay as safe as they are refreshed!
What Laws Keep Labels Honest?
Australia’s consumer laws are, thankfully, tough, keeping all consumers knowledgeable and safe.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) make it illegal for a brand to mislead consumers. That means when a product claims to be organic, it needs the evidence to back it up, or it risks landing in hot water (and not the soothing, lemon myrtle-scented kind).
These laws ensure that consumers get transparency around:
- Country of origin
- Product quality and safety
- Environmental impact
Tip: Watch Out for ‘Truthful’ Loopholes
Phrases like “dermatologist tested” can sound official, but they don’t actually guarantee much. It means a dermatologist did test it, not that it passed a safety or effectiveness standard. Instead, always consult your own dermatologist for advice as they can test and grant approval based on your specific needs.
What Labels Aren’t Required (But You’ll See Everywhere)
Some terms aren’t legally regulated in Australia, but brands use them to communicate their values.
Words like “clean,” “all natural,” and “non-toxic” are often more about a brand’s ethos than an official certification. That’s why it pays to do your own research, check a company’s story, manufacturing practices, and reviews.
At Lemon Myrtle Fragrances, we’re proud to explain what our favourite labels mean to us.
What Our Labels Mean at Lemon Myrtle Fragrances
- Environmentally Friendly
For us, this means using sustainable, native Australian ingredients, like Lemon Myrtle, that minimise our ecological footprint and support local growers.
- Organic
Our focus is on naturally derived plant ingredients, avoiding unnecessary chemicals or synthetic additives that only do harm to skin or spaces.
- Cruelty-Free
Our products are made in a vegan and cruelty-free registered facility.
All formulas are vegan, except for:
- Lemon Myrtle Fragrances Lip Balm (contains beeswax)
- The Soapman Goat’s Milk Soap (contains goat’s milk)
None of our formulas are tested on animals, ever. You can make sure of that by clicking here.
- All Natural
“All natural” can mean many things, but for us, it means no nasties.
Our products are made from plant-derived ingredients, with no animal fats, mineral oils, parabens, or petrochemicals (which may still be present in other brands with overseas organic certifications as mentioned in our FAQs).
With our products, you can feel confident knowing our formulas are as close to nature as possible (and they smell like it, too!).
- Australian Made & Owned
We’re proud to carry the Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) logo, the most trusted mark of authenticity in the country.
It’s backed by third-party certification, ensuring our products are genuinely Australian in origin and quality.
As a family business, these labels aren’t marketing tactics, they are pillars of our commitment to supporting local communities, sustainable agriculture, and ethical manufacturing, all of which have been, and will always be, at the heart of our work.
FAQ: Behind the Buzzwords
Q: “Is ‘natural’ the same as ‘organic’?”
Not necessarily. “Natural” means derived from nature, while “organic” usually refers to how ingredients were grown, without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers.
Q: “Are cruelty-free and vegan the same thing?”
No. Cruelty-free means not tested on animals; vegan means no animal-derived ingredients. Lemon Myrtle Fragrances is proudly both (with a couple of beeswax and goat’s milk exceptions).
Q: “How can I tell if a product is truly environmentally friendly?”
Look for transparency in sourcing and manufacturing. Brands that use local ingredients, recyclable packaging, and low-impact production (like us!) are backing their claims with action.
Q: “What’s one label that actually means something?”
The Australian Made logo, it’s verified, certified, and ensures you’re supporting local craftsmanship and quality.
At Lemon Myrtle Fragrances, we believe what you put on your skin, in your home, and around your pets should do good, for you and for the planet.
Explore our Australian made, cruelty-free, and all-natural range here, and feel good knowing every ingredient, label, and scent tells a story of care.