Materials vigilance and preservation of resources
L’Oréal requires food-grade(1)Materials guaranteed for food use and compliant with food regulations (EC/1935/2044 in Europe or the FDA in the United States).quality for all materials used in its packaging in contact with products or a beauty-grade(2)(2)Materials guaranteed for use in cosmetic products, compliant with L’Oréal’s in-house specifications and meeting strict requirements. quality for rinse-off haircare products. The Group also works proactively with its suppliers to ensure that all its packaging complies with European Regulation 1223/2009/EC on cosmetic products. Regular audits ensure the compliance of the filling and packing articles delivered, thus ensuring an uncompromised level of quality and safety for consumers.
L’Oréal has pledged to stop producing finished products containing PVC. This commitment has been kept since 1 January 2018.
L’Oréal has made a commitment that, by 2030, 100% of its biosourced packaging materials will be traceable and come from sustainable sources, with no link with deforestation.
To do so, the Group relies on its materials' traceability and certification to ensure they come from sustainably managed forests that are exploited with respect for populations and forest ecosystems (preferably FSC certified or, failing that, PEFC or any other certification recognised by PEFC International).
In 2022, 99.6% by volume of L’Oréal’s wood, paper or cardboard packaging (primary, secondary and tertiary)(3)(3)The Group buys wood-, paper- and cardboard-based products for various product categories and these purchases are made by various purchasing teams. Here, primary, secondary and tertiary packaging means all specified packaging that is purchased for products from the Group’s factories. could be traced to their country of origin (forests)(4)(4)Traceability to the forests’ country of origin is ensured through the annual data collection campaign. Information is obtained after the end of the calendar year, therefore at one-year intervals..
The Group deems packaging to come from sustainable sources when its material is certified and when the packaging supplier holds valid Chain of Custody(5)(5)The FSC or PEFC “Chain of Custody” certificate guarantees the traceability of certified materials at each stage of the production process, from the forest to the finished product, including each stage of treatment, processing, manufacturing and distribution. certification. As such, in 2023, 89.2% by volume was FSC or PEFC certified and 83.4% by volume came from Chain of Custody certified suppliers.
Since 2010, L’Oréal has been a member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in France. L’Oréal has been a member of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) International since 2022, with the aim of promoting action aimed at strengthening the FSC standard. The FSC label is the only label claimed on paper or cardboard packaging of the Group’s products.
Reducing weight and volume to optimise the resources used
In 2023, the Group reduced by 4% in intensity the quantity of packaging used for its products, compared to 2019.
TARGET 2030: -20%
In 2023, the Group reduced by 4% 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 a major driver for improving the environmental profile of packaging. Every year, L’Oréal launches new initiatives aimed at reducing the quantity of materials used in packaging.
A process is in place to reduce the weight of existing products. Two initiatives implemented in 2023 are worth noting:
- Lancôme updated the 50 ml jar used for its Renergie, Hydrazen, Genefique and Clarifique ranges by reducing the weight of the glass, saving 142 tonnes per year. For example, the jar used for the Renergie Ultra range was made 31% lighter and, for this range, the brand also supported this reduction by launching a 50 ml refill.
- reducing the weight of the 30, 50 and 90 ml bottles in the Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum brand saves 52 tonnes of glass per year. For example, the weight of the 50 ml bottle has been reduced by 8%. The brand also supported this reduction by launching a 100 ml refill.
To reduce the use of resources intended for packaging, L’Oréal is marketing a growing number of reusable products, i.e. products that are reloadable or refillable. For example, Prada launched the refillable makeup and skincare Prada Beauty range. The L’Oréal Professionnel brand launched new 1.5 l pouches of shampoo for refilling the original bottles in hair salons.
To limit packaging volumes for its finished products, L’Oréal has developed a roadmap for reducing packaging at the source, as well as methods that comply with and, in most countries, even go beyond local regulations.
Replacement with new sources of materials
In 2023, 32% of the plasticpackaging materials were from recycled or biobased sources.
The Statutory Auditors have expressed reasonable assurance about this indicator.
TARGET 2025: 50%
TARGET 2030: 100%
The Statutory Auditors have expressed reasonable assurance about this indicator.
The Group seeks to replace materials with recycled or biomass materials, or materials generated by technology that is not reliant on virgin fossil-based resources. In 2023, L’Oréal used 170,811 tonnes of plastic in its primary, secondary and tertiary packaging. The Group aims to ensure that 50% of its plastics come from recycled or biobased sources by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
(1)Materials guaranteed for food use and compliant with food regulations (EC/1935/2044 in Europe or the FDA in the United States).
(2)Materials guaranteed for use in cosmetic products, compliant with L’Oréal’s in-house specifications and meeting strict requirements.
(3)The Group buys wood-, paper- and cardboard-based products for various product categories and these purchases are made by various purchasing teams. Here, primary, secondary and tertiary packaging means all specified packaging that is purchased for products from the Group’s factories.
(4)Traceability to the forests’ country of origin is ensured through the annual data collection campaign. Information is obtained after the end of the calendar year, therefore at one-year intervals.
(5)The FSC or PEFC “Chain of Custody” certificate guarantees the traceability of certified materials at each stage of the production process, from the forest to the finished product, including each stage of treatment, processing, manufacturing and distribution.