Clarins advances social responsibility moves through UEBT membership

26 Jan 2022 --- French multinational cosmetics company Clarins has extended its Corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions by becoming a member of the Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT). This move ensures that Clarins is engaging in the ethical sourcing of ingredients.

“This membership is a step. By accepting us, UEBT recognizes the attention we give to the quality of our sourcing,” says Virginie Courtin Clarins, deputy managing director of Clarins Group.

“Above all, it requires us to continually do even more. We share this goal of continued progress in sourcing that respects people and the planet.”

Clarins’ collaboration with UEBT began at the end of 2019. Becoming a member entails demonstrating that a company adheres to the ethical standards of a fair partnership, particularly in terms of benefit sharing, long-term socio-economic commitment, and ecological preservation.

The company’s Responsible Sourcing Charter and 2025 commitment to 100% sustainable sourcing of materials and ingredients are at the center of its initiative with UEBT, Clarins states.

Sourcing with respect
The UEBT is a non-profit organization dedicated to “Sourcing with Respect” of biodiversity-derived ingredients. Members of the union ensure their sourcing processes encourage biodiversity conservation, respect traditional knowledge, and ensure equitable benefit sharing along the supply chain.

Additionally, UEBT is a partner of the United Nations Convention for biological diversity.According to Clarins, the UEBT membership showcases the companies efforts to ethical sourcing that respects biodiversity and people (Credit: Clarins).

To confirm its UEBT member status, in 2021, Clarins defined an action plan which will be reviewed every three years.

The agenda features different measures which will ensure continued progress in human and environmental ethics: sustainability and conservation of biodiversity, the fair and equitable sharing of value and the respect of people’s rights and socio-economic sustainability.

Efforts to increase ingredient traceability
As more consumers demand products that are good for the environment, industry has been trying to keep on track.

On Friday, Maybelline unveiled it will change its business strategy to ensure that environmental factors such as packaging, disposal, production, and formulation are considered.

Meanwhile, Firmenich was ranked in the top 1% of over 85,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis, a corporate social responsibility monitor. The company’s European factory based in France is geared toward increasing the production of renewable ingredients.

Naturality in fragrances is becoming essential, with fragrances that are organic taking center stage, according to Symrise.

Edited by Nicole Kerr