L'oreal

Responsible Palm Oil Sourcing

7D8B C3Aa

Author

Eric Dynda

Eric Dynda

School

St. John's University

St. John's University

Professor

Charles Wankel

Charles Wankel

Global Goals

10. Reduced Inequalities 12. Responsible Consumption and Production 13. Climate Action 15. Life on Land

Keep this story going! Share below!

Summary

  • L'oreal is committed to zero deforestation by 2020 for all sources of their products.
  • The company uses traceable sources of palm oil from responsible and sustainable sources, including small-scale holders through the Sustainable Palm Oil and Traceability with Sabah small producers (SPOTS) initiative.

Innovation

L'oreal has a program to purchase one hundred percent of the palm oil the company uses from sustainable sources that are certified by the RSPO, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. This is part of a company-wide goal of zero deforestation impact by 2020. They are involved in a initiative called SPOTS: "Sustainable Palm Oil and Traceability with Sabah small producers". This program works with small Malaysian producers of palm oil, including individual farmers, in order to promote sustainability and traceability in palm oil production, and to support the producers' well-being. L'oreal pledged to purchase palm oil production from 500 small-scale holders in Malaysia over five years.

Responsible Palm Oil Sourcing

Inspiration

The inspiration for L'oreal's involvement in this initiative stems from the company's commitment to sustainability overall. In my interview with Eileen Greb, Sr. Manager of Logistics Control at L'oreal, she stressed "it's important for corporations to be good citizens; to set a good example." This is especially true of a corporation as large of a player as L'oreal is, as the world's largest cosmetics company. L'oreal is working to "continually improve the way we develop products and operate ecologically, economically, and socially." The commitment to sustainable palm oil sourcing is one way to achieve these goals.

Overall impact

Independent smallholders in Malaysia who produce palm oil face many challenges including the threat of deforestation, lack of fair access to the international market, difficult living conditions, and inefficient forms of agricultural practice. Through the SPOTS initiative, many of these challenges are alleviated. These smallholders account for 40% of the world's palm oil production. L'oreal's commitment to this program helps these smallholders, reduces deforestation, improves the company's supply chain, and promotes sustainability in the palm oil market.

Business benefit

L'oreal gains the benefit of being able to better manage their supply chain thanks to traceability methods. They also are seen as a leader in the field of sustainability and preventing deforestation, a trait which makes the company more attractive to consumers and potential employees. Ms. Greb states "I'm very proud of all our company's social sustainability efforts and it makes me feel good to work for a company that is committed to things like this."

Social and environmental benefit

By achieving traceability in their sourcing of palm oil, L'oreal can ensure its goal of zero deforestation is being kept. Ending deforestation is very important because it wastes the resources of the environment and also contributes to climate change. The program also has a very real societal benefit in assisting the smallholders in Malaysia who face many challenges to their success. In the past, many of the smallholders have been tempted to illegally increase the size of their plantations because of their low profits from inefficient agricultural practices and limited access to the market. Through the SPOTS program, they will be given access to big purchasers like L'oreal, allowing them to improve their practices and living conditions in the long-term.

Interview

Eileen Greb, Sr. Manager Logistics Control

Photo of interviewee

Business information

L'oreal

L'oreal

FR
Business Website: http://www.loreal.com
Year Founded: 1909
Number of Employees: 10000+
L'oreal is the world's largest cosmetics and beauty product company. Founded in France in 1909, the company manufactures and sells consumer products for hair and skin care, makeup, perfumes, and more. Brands under the L'oreal umbrella include Lancome, Maybelline, Garnier, Redken, among many others.