Henkel, Natura & Co., LVMH, L’oreal and Unilever collectively head towards a voluntary environmental impact assessment
The five leading giants of the Cosmetic industry, Henkel, Natura & Co, LVMH, L’oreal and Unilever will co-develop a global environmental assessment and score-system for cosmetics goods. This consortium is inviting various other cosmetic companies to contribute in putting up a scientific methodology and scoring system for the purpose of assessing the environmental impact.
The objective is to create a brand-agnostic strategy that delivers precise, open, and comparative information to customers on the ecological consequences based on a shared scientific methodology. The science-based methodologies are to be given importance while making the shopping choices sustainable for a wide consumer base.
The collaboration aims at an “industry-wide environmental assessment and scoring system” for “clear, transparent, and comparable environmental impact information, based on a common science-based methodology”. Just like the various other sectors that have formed the scoring and assessing committees, it is time for the cosmetics industry to have one. With the increasing awareness about the hazardous environmental impact, people have gained consciousness towards the knowledge of what ingredients and inputs are being used in the beauty products they opt for.
“It is possible for the cosmetics sector, as has happened in other sectors, to build a scientific environmental impact assessment of their products, based on a full life cycle assessment. It requires a cross-industry pooling of knowledge and expertise, particularly concerning the environmental impact data, this is exactly what the consortium founding members are embarking on,” says Philippe Osset, expert in the application of life cycle assessment to eco-design, consultant providing expertise for the European Commission and AFNOR in an interview with a reputed organisation with respect to the consortium formed by the major cosmetics industry giants.
A harmonized scoring system
- The scientific methodology and scoring system have been formed to create a common database comprising the list of standard ingredients and raw materials that are to be used in the manufacturing of various cosmetics. It’s not only the product but the material used for packaging, promoting eco-friendly packages that would be easy to dispose of and biodegradable.
- The methods used for measuring the environmental impacts throughout the life-cycle of the product must be commonly grounded by the principles and ethos of the European Union’s Product Environmental Footprint (EUPEF).
- Harmonization of the scoring system that makes it easy for the consumer to compare among the various brands of different products. The database, comparison tools, methodologies and the scoring system will be substantiated by the individual experts.
As per the reports, Sunny Jain, President of Unilever Beauty & Personal Care said in an interview, “Working alongside our peer companies, we’re aiming to provide people with easy to understand, transparent and comparable information, based on a robust scientific approach. This will support the 1 billion people who use our Unilever Beauty & Personal Care products every day to make even more informed choices”
Engagement of all the contributors in the cosmetics sector
The five giants are working with Quantis which is a sustainability consulting firm, in regards to the co-building of the voluntary assessment methodology and scoring system.
One of the remarkable aspects of this global initiative is the inclusion of all players of the cosmetic industry irrespective of the size or resources given for the purpose of bringing together their experiences and knowledge. Not only the big brands in the cosmetic industry, the consortium will be consulting many external experts including scientists, NGOs, and academicians so as to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the reports.
https://www.loreal.com/en/press-release/group/voluntary-environmental-impact-assessment/
https://www.esmmagazine.com/a-brands/unilever-joins-global-cosmetics-coalition-147130
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