2023 universal registration document

In 2023, in addition to bringing new products with very high biodegradability levels to the market, L’Oréal continued renovating and improving its formulas already on the market. For example, L’Oréal Paris improved the formula for its EverPure Volume Conditioner, increasing its biodegradability level from 73% to over 98%. Garnier updated its Fructis Nutri Curls cream formula and increased its biodegradability level from 76% to over 98%. 

The biodegradability of the raw materials portfolio was 82% in 2023.

Reducing the impact of the use phase

Innovation reduces the impact of the consumer use phase. The main environmental impacts in the rinse-off cosmetics sector arise when the products are used. These are the carbon and water footprints. The aim is to preserve the quantity and quality of water resources. As part of L’Oréal for the Future, the Group wants to develop innovative solutions that enable consumers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption associated with using its products.

The three pillars of the Group’s strategy to meet the challenge of water consumption:

• Reduction in the amount of water used for rinse-off products: this means developing formulations that offer better rinsability. The sales of Garnier continued its sales of solid shampoos, which offer a 20% saving in rinsability.
• Innovation in beauty routines: the Group continually adapts its innovation model to meet all beauty aspirations around the world. L’Oréal aims to help consumers reduce the impact of their use phase by offering appropriate innovations. The goal is to reduce the impact of the use phase, for example by eliminating the rinse phase. In Europe, in 2023, Garnier launched no-rinse conditioners as well as Garnier Skinactive Micellar Solution, a no-rinse skin cleanser and makeup remover.
• Deployment of technologies: the Group is developing equipment to reduce water consumption in salons. It is collaborating with its ecosystem to develop new solutions. Since 2021, the Group has also partnered⁽¹⁾On 9 January 2024, L’Oréal announced the signing of an agreement to acquire all of Gjosa’s share capital. with Swiss start-up Gjosa to optimise rinse-off technology for shampoos, haircare products and hair dyes. Known as L’Oréal Water Saver, this sustainable technology for hair care in salons decreases water flow by 69%. This technology has been gradually rolled out since January 2023⁽²⁾Water Saver technology was launched in Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Nordic countries in January 2023 before being rolled out in France, the rest of Europe and the United Arab Emirates starting in May 2023.. The system, totalling more than 11,100 units, has been installed in 5,000 salons. The website⁽³⁾ https://watersaver.loreal.com/frgives a real-time tally of the volume of water saved by the units currently installed.

Since 2016, greenhouse gas emissions have been favourably decorrelated from the water consumption linked to product use. The result of the indicator for water consumption linked to product use in 2023 is explained by the increase in demand and sales of certain types of products, such as cleansers. The Group is continuing its efforts on the three pillars of its strategy to reach the target set for 2030.

WATER CONSUMPTION LINKED TO PRODUCT USE⁽⁴⁾Calculation based on the energy consumption required to heat water to rinse off the products. In 2022, a new calculation methodology was used for body products (shower gels). It takes into account only the required shower-related water volumes (an 82% reduction in the volume previously considered), i.e. the water needed to rinse off cosmetic products. This methodology impacts the Group’s overall water volumes and consequently the overall Scope 3 GHG emission volumes (impact on all GHG emissions of between 7 and 8%). The 2017 baseline year was recalculated using this methodology. It will be published in early 2023.