Ethics
Our Sense of Purpose, “Create the beauty that moves the world”, is an intrinsic part of our strong ethical framework that is central to guiding our current and future activities. The Group’s commitment to ethics is reflected in vigilant governance put into action by all employees, supported by a global internal network of ethics correspondents.
Our ethical principles, our principles of action
L’Oréal’s ethical principles of Integrity, Respect, Courage and Transparency underpin the Group’s reputation and serve as a daily guide for all our employees. This ensures that everyone, in all business domains, follows the same ethical standards wherever they operate.
Working together ethically
As a business
Valuing integrity and transparency with all our stakeholders.
As an employer
Providing a safe and healthy working environment for all our employees. Fostering a culture of openness, courage, collaboration and respect.
As a responsible corporate citizen
Reducing our impact across the value chain and working with business partners that share our ethical commitments.
Responsible advertising and marketing communications: levers for positive change
As the world’s fourth-largest advertiser, L’Oréal has a great opportunity and responsibility to lead by example. In 2024, we enhanced our “Responsible Advertising and Marketing Communications Policy”. This is built on six key pillars: responsible media and content, respect for human rights and diversity, equity and inclusion principles, responsible marketing to children, data privacy and ethics, reasoned use of generative AI and sustainability.
In 2024, Kiehl’s ran a “Kids should stay kids” campaign to raise awareness about the importance of refraining from intentionally targeting children and educating on the use of products adapted to their hygiene, dermatological and sun protection needs. Our commitments contribute to building consumer trust and aim to promote positive practices within the beauty sector.
Personal data protection, a critical and global imperative
In the digital age, data is at the heart of L’Oréal’s business. To guarantee respect for data privacy and protection, the Group has established robust governance at all levels of our organisation to ensure compliance with laws and regulations across all markets.
To instil the right reflexes, we have summarised guidelines to follow in “10 points of vigilance” to complement our global policy, “Data Privacy at L’Oréal”, reinforced by mandatory training. L’Oréal also has a culture of Privacy by Design, integrating the principles of data privacy from the inception of projects.
In 2024, L’Oréal won the Piccaso Prize for its data protection programme, awarded by a panel of experts in recognition of our efforts to establish a culture of data privacy throughout the organisation.
Ethics Day 2024: an opportunity to reach out to employees
Every year since 2009, L’Oréal has put a special focus on its ethical commitment with its Ethics Day. This global event provides live answers to employees’ questions and concerns. This year, more than 35,000 people joined online sessions with Nicolas Hieronimus, members of the Executive Committee and country managers.
Thanks to our network of ethics correspondents, employees around the world are invited to take part in discussions allowing them to ask questions on key ethical issues anonymously: 5,500 questions were submitted this year. This dialogue allows us to look more closely at the practical application of our ethical principles in our day-to-day activities and decisions.
In 2024, the Ethisphere Institute recognised L’Oréal as one of the world’s most ethical companies for the 15th consecutive year.
