These principles are applied before each launch, right from the marketing brief. The Group harnesses these via a global, systematic eco-design process for packaging, notably with the help of the SPOT measurement tool. The Group’s packaging strategy fully incorporates its sustainable development commitments. L’Oréal also rolls out new tools (databases, guides and procedures) to support the product development teams.
Since 2018, the Group has used a specific POS programme that is based on the principles of eco-design and the circular economy. For our Free-Standing Stores, we have drawn up an eco-design and construction guide in line with the Group’s sustainable development principles. The Group shares the guidelines and best practices for both these initiatives with its suppliers and partner distributors.
In 2022, 73% of created or renovated products had an improved environmental profile due to improved packaging.
Materials vigilance and preservation of resources
L’Oréal requires a food-grade level for all materials used in its packaging that is in contact with its products. The Group also takes a proactive approach with its suppliers in order to ensure that packaging does not contain any sensitive substances. Regular audits ensure the compliance of the filling and packing components delivered, thus ensuring an uncompromised level of quality and safety for consumers.
L’Oréal has pledged that it will stop the production of finished products containing PVC. This commitment has been kept since 1 January 2018.
Controlling the source of materials used in packaging is a major challenge that requires responsible sourcing. For its paper, cardboard or wooden packaging, L’Oréal has set itself the target of using materials from sustainably managed forests, exploited with respect for populations and forest ecosystems. The Group therefore uses packaging from forests that are preferably FSC or PEFC certified (or that have obtained any other certification recognised by PEFC International).
Since 2010, L’Oréal has been a member of the ForestStewardship Council (FSC) in France. Since 2022, L’Oréal has been a member of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)International. The FSC label is the only one claimed on paper or cardboard packaging for the Group’s products.
In 2022, 98% of the paper used for product leaflets and 99%of the cardboard used for boxes (secondary packaging)were certified as coming from sustainably managed forests. As part of its new 2030 Forest Policy, L’Oréal is stepping up its goals to go beyond certification requirements while extending its scope of application to cover its primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. As such, in 2022, 90% of the Group’s primary, secondary and tertiary packaging were certified as coming from sustainably managed forests.
In an approach to achieve continuous improvement in traceability, L’Oréal has made a commitment that, by 2030,100% of its packaging biomaterials will be traceable and come from sustainable sources, with no connection to deforestation. To do so, the Group will rely on the Chain of Custody certification of its packaging suppliers and on knowledge about their supplies’ countries of origin (production sites of the material, origin of fibres). As such, in 2022, 89% of direct suppliers of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging were Chain of Custody certified, while 98% of direct purchases of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging made in 2021 have been traced to their country of origin (forests).
Reducing weight and volume to optimise the resources used
In 2022, the Group reduced by 3% in intensity the quantity of packaging used for its products, compared to 2019.
Reducing the weight and volume of product packaging is an integral part of the design stage. It is also a major driver for improving their environmental profile. Every year, L’Oréal launches new initiatives aimed at reducing the quantity of materials used in packaging.
A continuous process is in place to reduce the weight of existing products. As an illustration, two initiatives implemented in 2022 can be mentioned:
- Lancôme updated its La Vie Est Belle perfume by reducing the bottle weights by 10% to 15%; and
- the L’Oréal Professionnel Inoa hair dye was updated, resulting in the product leaflet being replaced with information printed on the inside of the box. These changes have reduced the weight of the packaging (primary and secondary) by 25%.
In addition, in order to reduce the use of resources intended for packaging, L’Oréal is marketing an increasing number of reusable products, i.e. those that are reloadable or refillable. For example, Giorgio Armani launched its refillable fragrance Armani Code, while the Garnier brand introduced new UltraDoux shampoo pouches for refilling the original bottle. In the latter case, new and improved caps now make it easier to refill the bottles.
To limit packaging volumes for its finished products, L’Oréal has established a roadmap for reducing packaging at source, as well as its own procedures that respect local regulations and, in most countries, even go beyond these.
Replace: new sources of materials
In 2022, 26% of the plastic packaging materials were from recycled or biobased sources.☑
☑ The Statutory Auditors have expressed reasonable assurance about this indicator.