Entering the European market for beeswax

Beeswax is a traditional and popular ingredient in the European cosmetics market. It is known for its natural, emollient properties and versatility in product formulations. To enter this market, suppliers need to be aware of specific requirements, including correct documentation and quality standards. It is also important to understand the competition, as there are many suppliers and alternative products. Highlighting the transparency and sustainability of your beeswax is important to European buyers.

1. What requirements and certifications must beeswax meet to be allowed on the European market?

As a product of animal origin, beeswax has to comply with strict rules regarding public and animal health. To export beeswax to Europe, you need to be aware of the regulations and provide thorough product documentation. Beeswax suppliers should also emphasise eco-friendly practices to gain a competitive edge in the market, such as organic beekeeping and sustainable harvesting methods.

What are mandatory requirements?

The key legislation you need to be aware of to meet mandatory requirements on safety and due diligence are listed below.

Regulation on Cosmetic Products

Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, or European cosmetics legislation, sets out rules to ensure the safety of cosmetic products. It aims to protect human health and the proper functioning of the internal cosmetics market. Specific mandatory requirements for cosmetic ingredients can be found in the cosmetics legislation for final products. This regulation also contains annexes that list more than 1,600 ingredients that are prohibited or restricted in cosmetic products sold in the European Union (EU). Beeswax is not included in these annexes. This means beeswax can be used in cosmetic products sold in the EU, provided that it complies with the general safety and labelling requirements outlined in the regulation.

A non-exhaustive guide to the minimum requirements for cosmetic ingredients that manufacturers have to abide by is given in Annex I of the Cosmetics Regulation. Before a cosmetic product is placed on the EU market, European legislation requires manufacturers prepare a Cosmetic Product Safety Report. This document requires data on the composition and quality and safety parameters of the ingredients used. Annex I guides what you need to comply with to sell to European importers as an exporter of beeswax. Suppliers need to provide well-structured product documentation on the physical-chemical composition, the presence of impurities, microbiological quality and a toxicological profile. Required detailed documentation includes: 

• Technical Data Sheet – TDS (e.g. Gustav Heess TDS)
• Certificates of Analysis – CoA (e.g. The Soap Kitchen’s CoA)
• Safety Data Sheets – SDS (e.g. Nature in Bottle’s MSDS)
• Organic certification, where applicable
• Certificate of origin (if requested)

Health rules as regards animal by-products not intended for human consumption

Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 sets out rules regarding health and animal by-products not intended for human consumption. It ensures that animal by-products and products derived from animals that are not used in food production are handled, processed and disposed of in a way that protects public, animal and environmental health.

Article 25 of the regulation prohibits the import and transit of honeycomb beeswax into and through the EU. Beeswax also needs to be produced in accordance with the requirements of Annex XIV, Chapter II for apiculture by-products. Beeswax, for purposes other than apiculture and feeding, can only be imported if it has been refined before being imported or if it has been processed in accordance with Chapter III of Annex IV.

For beeswax used for purposes other than apiculture and animal feed, such as for cosmetic purposes, imports from third countries are permitted. This is not the case for beeswax intended for human consumption or pharmaceuticals, where only a few authorised countries are allowed to export. If you wish to supply beeswax to industries other than the cosmetics industry, consult Regulation (EU) 2021/405. This regulation lists the third countries allowed to import certain animals and goods intended for human consumption. You should also consult Regulation (EU) 2022/2293, which lists the third countries that have approved control plans for pharmacologically active substances.

In addition to country approval, products of animal origin not intended for human consumption can only be imported into the EU if they have been dispatched from and obtained or prepared in approved establishments. European importers are required to check that the establishments are on the correct list. The published lists of establishments are derived from TRACES-NT data.

Regulation (EU) 2022/2293 also requires animal product imports to be accompanied by a commercial document and health certificates signed by an official veterinarian, employed by the competent authority, in the exporting third country. 

All consignments must be accompanied by a ‘commercial document’. Exporters should arrange for their importers to work with the Ministry of Animal Health in the importing country and the border inspection post (BIP) through which their consignments enter the EU. They should do this to determine the acceptability of the form and content (including a description of the refining process) of the commercial document prior to shipment. The importer should also verify that the BIP accepts that the consignment is not intended for human or animal consumption or for use in apiculture. There is currently no ‘standard’ EU format for commercial documents. However, the commercial document must include the following information:

• Description of the material and the animal species of origin;
• Category of the material. According to Regulation (EC) 1069/2009, beeswax must only be derived from Category 3 materials;
• Quantity of the material;
• Place of dispatch of the material;
• Name and address of the consignor. This facility must be approved under Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and listed in TRACES;
• Name and address of the consignee, and
• Description or verification of the refinement process the beeswax underwent.

Health certificates aim to ensure that imported products are fit for export to the EU. There are different models of certificates, depending on the type of product concerned, its intended use and other specific conditions. Chapter 13 of Annex XV sets out the model health certificate for apiculture by-products intended for apiculture to be imported into the EU. However, in the case of beeswax intended for uses other than animal feed, the Regulation only requires imports to be accompanied by a commercial document that certifies that the beeswax has been refined or processed.

Lists of products of animal origin and by-products subject to official health controls at border control posts

Regulation (EU) 2021/632 defines the products of animal origin and animal by-products subject to official border controls. This regulation is part of the broader framework that ensures imports into the EU meet strict safety and hygiene standards, protecting public and animal health.

Beeswax is subject to official controls at border control posts. Regulation (EU) 2021/632 applies to all waxes, including waxes in natural combs, raw beeswax, processed and refined waxes, whether bleached, coloured or not.

Additional requirements

European buyers often have requirements beyond legal obligations. These often concern minimal quality requirements for products. Others relate to quality management, sustainable and ethical business practices, and packaging requirements.

Quality requirements

High-quality beeswax should be natural and free from contaminants, pesticide residues, impurities and adulteration. In Europe, it is common practice to filter beeswax to remove impurities, ensuring a clean and pure final product. Regular testing is conducted to ensure compliance with safety standards.

High-quality beeswax should also have certain physical and chemical characteristics. For example, its colour should range from yellow to nearly white, depending on its origin and processing. Dark or off-coloured beeswax may indicate contamination or excessive heating during processing. This can decrease its quality.

The table below lists other characteristics that are often expected in Europe.

Table 1: Sensory, physical and chemical properties of beeswax

Source: ProFound based on Produire Bio, 2019

Quality management standards

European buyers often prefer suppliers who follow recognised quality management standards. These practices help ensure product safety and consistency. They improve your credibility as an exporter and show your commitment to providing high-quality ingredients. They also help to show you are compliant with mandatory requirements.

European buyers of beeswax for cosmetics expect suppliers to follow Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles in their processing facilities to ensure product safety.

Sustainability requirements

Beeswax is often considered a sustainable ingredient because it is a natural by-product of beekeeping, a practice that can support biodiversity. Unlike synthetic waxes, beeswax is biodegradable, renewable, produced without harmful chemicals and has a low carbon footprint. However, the decline in the number of beehives in Europe due to threats like intensive agriculture, climate change and chemical/pesticide use has caught the attention of many Europeans.

Consumers and policymakers are more aware of the need to source honey and beeswax sustainably and to hold suppliers accountable for their environmental impact. European importers like Walter Lang (Germany) and Rowse also want to avoid being held responsible for mass bee deaths through their sourcing practices. There is, therefore, growing demand and scrutiny for sustainable practices like organic beekeeping, the avoidance overharvesting honey and beeswax, providing bees with sufficient forage and managing hives to prevent the spread of disease. Pressure from EU regulators and consumers is expected to increase over the next ten years, forcing more companies to adopt sustainability measures.

In addition, European buyers of natural ingredients for cosmetics face growing pressure from EU legislation to make sure their supply chains are sustainable and transparent. The most important emerging developments to be aware of are the European Green Deal and the corporate sustainability due diligence directive. 

Both proposals will indirectly affect you if you do business with European companies. Partly because of these developments, one of the primary considerations for European buyers is the presence of a transparent supply chain that can be easily traced. Buyers want guarantees that the products they buy can be traced back to the source to ensure good social and environmental practices along the chain. 

Suppliers should show good Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices, such as developing a code of conduct and improving performance in key areas. Ways of improving CSR include making better working conditions in supply chains and limiting damage to the environment. Take a look at social responsibility and sustainability platforms like the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX). These platforms provide tools and guidance for suppliers and organisations to operate ethically and to source responsibly. They also facilitate sharing this information with potential customers. Thus, adopting CSR practices can help you meet buyer expectations.

Labelling requirements

Beeswax suppliers need to include product documentation and labelling to comply with the various requirements. The aim of the labelling requirements is to ensure safety, and to provide information on the product related to the content, composition, safe use, special precautions and other specific details. Labelling must include: 

• Product/International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) name
• Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number
• Batch code or number
• Place of origin
• Name and address of exporter
• Date of manufacture
• Best before date
• Net weight or volume
• Recommended storage conditions
• Organic certification number, plus name/code of certifying inspection body if you export organic-certified beeswax

Label your products in English unless your buyer wants you to use another language. 

Packaging requirements

Packaging requirements for beeswax in Europe focus on keeping products clean and safe from moisture and heat during transport and storage. 

Specific requirements vary between buyers, so the most important thing is to ask them and to use the agreed packaging. Generally, beeswax is exported in small blocks of less than 25 kg wrapped in special paper or plastic film. EU importers prefer to receive blocks of beeswax uncovered, without jute or polyethylene bags, as these stick to the beeswax if it melts during transport. Instead, the blocks are placed in stainless steel containers. Other metals will affect the quality of the beeswax. Do not forget to include labels with important information in your packaging.

Note that importers often sell beeswax as pellets or flakes, which make it easier for manufacturers and formulators to handle and measure.

Figure 1: Beeswax blocks ready for packaging and trade on customer request

Source: Vara-Group, 2020

What are the requirements for niche markets?

The main niche market is organic certified beeswax. You can only sell your product as organic beeswax if you meet specific requirements. The EU Organic Regulation details the requirements you have to comply with to label and sell your beeswax as such. While the extra requirements may increase production costs, you are likely to sell the beeswax at a better price.

Organic beeswax

To market beeswax as organic in the EU, it must comply with Regulation (EU) 2018/848. This regulation establishes the principles and requirements for organic production, related certification and the use of indications referring to organic production. EU organic regulation applies to several products, including beeswax. It is aimed at every operator in every stage in the supply chain, at production, preparation and distribution.

EU organic regulation has transitioned from an ‘equivalence’ system to a ‘compliance’ system for importing organic products. This means that companies from developing countries now need to adhere to and meet all the requirements of the EU organic regulation. While this regulation is already in force in the EU, controls in developing countries are only just beginning. Starting from 1 January 2025, certificates confirming compliance with regulation 2018/848 will be necessary for organic imports from most developing countries into the EU and Switzerland. 

This change will have a significant impact on beekeepers in developing countries who want to export organic products to the EU from 2025. The expectation is that this will affect small producer groups. Every exporter needs to take relevant practical measures to ensure compliance with the Regulation. You need to understand the requirements and demonstrate production and control to equivalent strict standards. To export your beeswax, you also need to be inspected and certified by control authorities or bodies. Regulation (EU) 2021/2325 lists the recognised control authorities and bodies of developing countries and ‘equivalent’ countries (i.e. countries with which there are agreements for the import of organic products).

2. Through which channels can you get beeswax on the European market?

To get beeswax onto the European cosmetics market, you can use standard channels for cosmetic ingredients. These include selling to distributors that specialise in natural ingredients and working with importers that supply raw materials to the cosmetics industry.

How is the end-market segmented?

The end market for beeswax is segmented into several categories based on its use in industry. Key segments include the cosmetics industry (40% market share) and the pharmaceutical industry (30% market share).

Beeswax is also used in the food industry as a glazing agent in packaging and in the production of candles and polishes (20% market share). This diverse range of applications drives demand across multiple sectors.

For cosmetics, beeswax is segmented into various categories based on the product type and application. In terms of product type, one can categorise beeswax as raw or processed. Processed beeswax is often bleached or refined.

In terms of application, the end market for cosmetics can be divided into five main product categories: skincare, toiletries, hair care products, fragrances/perfumes and decorative cosmetics.

Source: Cosmetics Europe & Euromonitor International, 2023

Beeswax is mainly found in the skincare cosmetics segment. This is the largest segment in the European cosmetics market. It dominates 29% of the market and recorded its third highest growth (10%) between 2022 and 2023. Beeswax is commonly used in skincare products, like creams, lotions and lip balms, due to its skin conditioning and emollient properties.

Beeswax is also used in hair care (mainly hair waxes and conditioners) and make-up segments (mainly in lipsticks, mascara and other colour cosmetics), although to a lesser extent.

Through which channels does a product end up on the end-market?

The figure below shows the export value chain for beeswax. The channels through which beeswax reaches the end market involve multiple steps between production and distribution, particularly in the cosmetics industry. Semi-processing and exporting in countries of origin are often done within the same company. Currently, most beeswax enters the European market through importers and distributors. It is rare for exporters of beeswax oil to sell directly to European manufacturers.

Figure 3: Main European distribution channels for beeswax

Source: ProFound, 2024

Importers and Distributors

Importers and distributors are your main target customers. They make cosmetic ingredients available on the EU market, buying them directly from exporters, often in large quantities. Distributors work as intermediaries in the supply chain and as downstream entities in the distribution channel. They check the quality of the wax to ensure it meets EU standards. They also refine it themselves or through refiners before selling it to cosmetic manufacturers for their products. Exporters should still carry out their own checks before exporting.

European distributors and importers that already trade beeswax include the following companies.

Koster Keunen – This is a Dutch company that specialises in refining and distributing natural and synthetic waxes, including beeswax. The company is a major supplier to the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries. Koster Keunen has a large product range, and its innovative approach to wax technology sets it apart on the market.

The company is strongly committed to sustainability, offering certified organic and fair-trade waxes. They have also established a sustainable beeswax supply chain in West Africa and have their own facility in Togo. Koster Keunen works closely with local beekeepers to improve practices, ensure fair pricing and maintain full traceability.

Figure 4: Solidarity Sourcing project of the partnership between L’Oréal, Koster Keunen and FairMatch