2023 universal registration document

4. Corporate Social Responsibility

4.3.3.3. Measures taken in favour of consumers

Brand commitments

L’Oréal encourages its brands to raise awareness and engage their stakeholders on the major environmental and societal challenges. Each brand must:

  • identify a specific environmental or societal cause of its own;

  • support a community partner involved in the field; and

  • conduct awareness-raising campaigns with the general public (see subparagraph 4.3.1.3.2.). 

Transparency, awareness and responsible marketing

L’Oréal relies on its scientific teams to answer consumers’ questions about the ingredients in its products through its Inside our Products platform that came online in 2019. This platform is dedicated to providing information to consumers about the quality and safety of L’Oréal’s ingredients, requirements and processes. The website is available in five languages in 23 countries. The “Trions en beauté” (Sort by Beauty) initiative is an awareness campaign conducted by the Group’s brands. The goal of this site developed by L’Oréal France is to relay the extension of sorting instructions resulting from the AGEC Law and to raise consumer awareness of these same behaviours applied to cosmetic products. In particular, it explains how to sort each of the different types of packaging for cosmetic products and the importance of recycling for our environment, and encourages everyone to act. The Group is committed to responsible marketing. This is why it is a member of the Unstereo type Alliance, an initiative led by companies brought together by UN Women to end harmful stereotypes in advertising.

Product quality and safety

Consumer safety is an absolute priority for L’Oréal. Assessing safety is central to any new product development process and a prerequisite before any new product can be brought to the market. (see subparagraph 4.3.1.3.2.).

4.3.3.4. Measures taken in favour of L’Oréal employees

L’Oréal has implemented several other policies that contribute to the respect of employees’ human rights and fundamental freedoms, notably through its policies on workplace health and safety, social dialogue and diversity, and its Share & Care programme (see paragraph 4.3.2.4.).

The Group ensures that all employees receive at least the minimum salary set by local law or the applicable collective agreements, and that they receive a living wage that covers their basic needs, calculated in line with best practices. For the second consecutive year, L’Oréal’s fulfilment of this commitment around the world was certified by the NGO Fair Wage Network in 2023.

The subsidiaries must comply with applicable local legislation and the minimum set of core rules designed to prevent serious human rights violations. The details and implementation of these rules is described in L’Oréal’s Vigilance Plan (see section 3.4.), which also explains the Group’s organisation in the area of human rights. In addition, compliance is verified through the programme of social audits and using the forced labour self-assessment tool developed by NGO the Fair Labour Association in collaboration with the Consumer Goods Forum, described in section 3.4 of L’Oréal’s Vigilance plan.

4.3.3.5. Measures taken in favour of employees of the Group’s suppliers in the context of their working conditions

L’Oréal seeks out suppliers that share its ethical commitments, namely with regard to human rights and working conditions of their employees.

L’Oréal’s commitments are communicated to all suppliers via the general terms of purchase. Suppliers identified in the Group’s risk mapping must sign the Ethical Commitment Letter. Some may be audited. The details and implementation of this Buy & Care programme are described in L’Oréal’s Vigilance Plan (see section 3.4.) and in subparagraph 4.3.1.2.1.

L’Oréal wants to carry this goal beyond the Group. This is why the L’Oréal for the Future programme includes a new demanding commitment ensuring that all employees of strategic suppliers are paid at least a living wage. Calculated by region and aligned with the best local practices, these new standards must allow employees to cover their basic needs and those of their family for decent housing, food, education and any other needs. In many countries, this living wage goes beyond the legal minimums.