Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Material Identification, Screening, Eligibility, Included
2.1.1. Materials Identification
2.1.2. Eligibility Criteria
2.1.3. Screening and Data Extraction
2.1.4. Study Included and Data Extraction
2.2. Assessment of Companies’ Environmental Activities
2.2.1. Assessment Companies
2.2.2. Environmental Activity Assessment Items
3. Results
3.1. Each Company’s Main Environmental Issues
3.2. Corporate Goals and Bases for the Environment Issue
3.3. Transparency of Environmental Activities
3.4. Objective Certification through Third-Party Organizations
4. Discussions
4.1. Expansion of Company Scope and Need for Active Activities
4.2. Major Roles of Brands, OEM/ODM, and Retailers
4.3. The Importance of Authenticity, Transparency, and Objectivity
4.4. Need to Introduce Common Environment Management Framework
4.5. Encourage Consumers to Buy Eco-Friendly Products
4.6. Government Intervention
4.7. The Novelty, Its Practical/Theoretical/Methodological Contribution
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Company | Sources | Targets, Goals, Commitments | Standards |
---|---|---|---|
L’Oréal, Clichy, France | 2022 Universal, Registration Document [65] | Climate (GHG, Energy), Water (Water, All Aquatic Ecosystems), Biodiversity (Sourcing, Deforestation), Resources (Formula, Package, Store, Waste) | GRI TCFD SASB [81,82,83] |
Unilever, London, UK | Annual Report and Accounts 2022 [49,66]; Sustainability Performance Data [67] | Climate Action (GHG), Protect and Regenerate nature (Deforest, Sourcing, Water, Formula), Waste-Free World (Plastic Package, Waste) | TCFD |
Estée Lauder, New York, NY, USA | Fiscal 2022 Social Impact and Sustainability Report [68] | Climate and Energy, Water, Sourcing (Biodiversity), Packaging, Ingredient Transparency | GRI TCFD SASB |
P&G, Cincinnati, OH, USA | 2022 Citizenship Report [69] | Climate (GHG, Energy), Waste (Package, Waste), Water, Nature (Sourcing, Deforestation) | TCFD |
Shiseido, Tokyo, Japan | Sustainability Report 2021 [70] | Reducing Our Environmental Footprint (CO2, Water, Waste), Developing Sustainable Products (Packaging, Formula/Ingredients), Promoting Sustainable and Responsible Procurement (Palm Oil, Paper) | TCFD |
Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany | Sustainability Highlight Report 2022 [26] Beiersdorf-NFS-2022 [71] | For a Climate Care Future (GHG, Energy), For Fully Circular Resources (Formula, Package, Waste), For Sustainable Land Use (Sourcing), For Regenerative Water (Water, Formula) | GRI TCFD |
LVMH, Paris, France | 2022 Annual Report [72] | Biodiversity (Sourcing, Forest), Circular Design (Package), Traceability/Transparency, Climate (GHG, Energy) | GRI TCFD |
Kao, Tokyo, Japan | Sustainability Report 2022 [73] | Decarbonization, Zero Waste (Package, Waste), Water Conservation, Air and Water Pollution Prevention, Responsibly Sourced Raw Materials | GRI TCFD |
Coty, New York, NY, USA | FY22 Sustainability Report [74] | Package, Sourcing, GHG, Energy | ISAE3000 [84] |
Johnson& Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA | 2021 Health for Humanity Report [75] | GHG, Energy | GRI SASB |
COSMAX, Seongnam, South Korea | 2022 Sustainability Report [27] | Formula, Packaging, Sourcing | GRI TCFD SASB |
kdc/one, Quebec, Canada | Environmental, Social, Governance Report 2021 [76] | Energy, GHG, Water, Waste | GRI |
Intercos, Agrate Brianza, Italy | Consolidated Nonfinancial Statement 2022 [77] | Formula, GHG, Sourcing, Waste | TCFD GRI |
Sephora, Paris, France | www.inside-sephora.com/en/, accessed on 30 May 2023. [78] | Climate, Sourcing, Eco-Design and Product Transparency, Reduce–Reuse–Recycle | |
Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL, USA | 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report [79] | Reducing Emissions, Sustainable Packaging | TCFD SASB |
Douglas, Düsseldorf, Germany | Sustainability Report 202 [80] | GHG, Formula, Packaging | GRI SASB |
Company | Targets, Goals, and Commitments | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Climate/ Energy | Packaging | Sourcing | Water | Waste | Formula | Pollution | |
L’Oréal, Clichy, France | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
Unilever, London, UK | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
Estée Lauder, New York, NY, USA | ● | ● | ● | ● | ○ | ||
P&G, Cincinnati, OH, USA | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||
Shiseido, Tokyo, Japan | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
LVMH, Paris, France | ● | ● | ● | ||||
Kao, Tokyo, Japan | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |
Coty, New York, NY, USA | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||
Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA | ● | ||||||
COSMAX, Seongnam, South Korea | ● | ● | ● | ||||
kdc/one, Quebec, Canada | ● | ○ | ● | ● | |||
Intercos, Agrate Brianza, Italy | ● | ● | ● | ○ | |||
Sephora, Paris, France | ◐ | ○ | ○ | ○ | |||
Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL, USA | ○ | ● | |||||
Douglas, Düsseldorf, Germany | ● | ○ | ○ | ○ |
Company | Targets, Goals, Commitments |
---|---|
L’Oréal, Clichy, France | 2030: Evaluate all formulas thanks to our environmental test platform |
Unilever London, UK | 2030: 100% of our ingredients will be biodegradable |
Estée Lauder, New York, NY, USA | 2025: Develop a glossary and provide information about the uses of ingredients |
Shiseido, Tokyo, Japan | Reduce our environmental and social impact by using sustainably sourced raw materials |
Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany | 2023: Eucerin 100% free of microplastics 2021: Nivea 100% free of microplastics 2025: 100% biodegradable polymers in our European product formulations |
Kao, Tokyo, Japan | 2025: 100% of factories which disclose VOC and COD emissions |
COSMAX, Seongnam, South Korea | 2030: Microplastic-free suspension of production of existing products; discontinuity of raw materials |
Intercos, Agrate Brianza, Italy | Creation of products qualified based on the environmental and ethical profile, strengthening the compliance of new formulations with our Clean List. |
Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL, USA | Monitor the landscape of trusted ingredients and ingredients |
Douglas, Düsseldorf, Germany | Clean products that are free from certain criticized ingredients |
Retailer | Environmental Standards | Reference |
---|---|---|
Sephora, Paris, France | Clean + Planet Positive Standards Clean: the avoidance of certain ingredient to be harmful to human health and the environment. Responsible packaging: 100% of products must reduce and eliminate all unnecessary material. Design for recyclability (2021: 50%~, 2023: ~75%, 2025: 90%) Reimagine of core brands assortment (2021: 50%, 2023: 75%, 2025: 100%) −30% PCR, biomaterials, 75% recycled, refillable, FSC-certified, etc.) Climate commitments must (meet at least one) 100% renewable energy, GHG reduction targets and action plan, carbon-neutral operations Sustainable sourcing (must meet all) 100% of palm oil and palm kernel oil, MICA; by 2022, zero microplastics and 100% cruelty free Environmental giving: committed to giving AT LEAST 1% OF PROFIT | [85] |
Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL, USA | Conscious Beauty at Ulta BeautyTM Clean ingredients, cruelty free, vegan, sustainable packaging (50% recycled packing, 30% PCR for cosmetic compact lids), positive impact (highlight brands with philanthropic efforts) | [79] |
Douglas, Düsseldorf, Germany | Clean Beauty Guide Free from cyclic silicones, parabens, harsh sulfates, mineral oils, ethanolamine, synthetic fragrances (<1%), phthalates, formaldehydes and formaldehyde releaser, PEGs, chemical SPF cruelty-free | [80,86] |
Company | Targets, Goals, Commitments | Basis | Progress | Data |
---|---|---|---|---|
L’Oréal, Clichy, France | 2025: Scopes 1, 2—carbon neutrality (vs. 2016) 2030: 25% reduction per finished product (tCO2 eq/kg of formulas sold) (vs. 2016) | SBTi | 2022: 65% 2022: −24% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Unilever, London, UK | 2030: Scopes 1, 2—zero (vs. 2015) 2039: Scopes 1, 2, 3—net zero (vs. 2015) | SBTi | 2022: 34.31 2022: −68% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Estée Lauder, New York, NY, USA | 2030: Scopes 1, 2—50% reduction (vs. 2018) Scope 3—60% reduction (vs. 2018) | SBTi | FY2022: 54% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
P&G, Cincinnati, OH, USA | 2030: Scopes 1, 2—50% reduction (vs. 2010) 2039: Scope 3—net zero | SBTi | FY 2022: 57% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Shiseido, Tokyo, Japan | 2026: Carbon neutral 2030: Scopes 1, 2—46.2% reduction (vs. 2019) 2030: Scope 3—55% reduction (vs.2019) | SBTi | Plan to disclose in 2023 | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany | 2025: Scopes 1, 2, 3—30% reduction (vs. 2018) 2030: 100% climate-neutral production sites | SBTi | 2022: 17% 2022: 7% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
LVMH, Paris, France | 2026: Scopes 1, 2—50% reduction (vs. 2019) 2030: Scope 3—55% reduction/protection | SBTi | 2022: 11% 2022: 77% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Kao, Tokyo, Japan | 2030: Scopes 1, 2—55% reduce (vs. 2017) 2030: 22% reduction in absolute full lifecycle (vs. 2017) | SBTi | 2022: 20% 2022: 4% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Coty, New York, NY, USA | 2030: Scopes 1, 2—50% reduction (vs. 2019) 2030: Scope 3—28% reduction (vs. 2019) | SBTi | FY2022: 70.6% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA | 2030: Carbon neutrality Scopes 1, 2—60% reduction (vs. 2016) 2030: Scope 3—20% reduction (vs. 2016) | SBTi | 2021: 50% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
COSMAX, Seongnam, South Korea | 2025: Scopes 1, 2—25% reduction (vs. 2017) 2030: Scopes 1, 2—30% reduction (vs. 2017) | DNV Business Assurance Korea | 2021: 27% 2021: 23% | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
kdc/one, Quebec, Canada | 2025: Trace 100% of Scope 1 and Scope 2 to renewable energy | SBTi | FY 2022: 100% of Scopes 1, 2’s emissions from manufacturing sites offset with renewable energy | Scopes 1, 2 |
Intercos, Agrate Brianza, Italy | 2025: Scopes 1, 2—20% reduction | SBTi | 2022–2022: −32% | Scopes 1, 2 |
Sephora, Paris, France | 2026: 50% reduction (stores, headquarters, distribution center) | |||
Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL, USA | 2× renewable energy credits commitment in 2022 | SBTi | 2021: SBT setting | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Douglas, Düsseldorf, Germany | 2025: Scopes 1, 2—carbon neutral FY2022/23: Roadmap for Scope 3 | SBTi | Scopes 1, 2, 3 |
Company | Targets, Goals, Commitments | Progress | Data |
---|---|---|---|
L’Oréal, Clichy, France | 2030: 100% of the plastic package from recycled or biobased sources (50% by 2025) | 2022: 26% | Recycled material |
2030: 20% reduction in intensity the quantity of packaging used for our products (vs. 2019) | 2022: −3% | ||
2025: 100% refillable, reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging | 2022: 30% | ||
Unilever, London, UK | 2025: 25% recycled plastic | 2022: 21% | Recycled plastic |
2025: 50% virgin plastic reduction by 2025 | 2022: −13% | ||
2025: 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable plastic packaging | 2022: 55% | ||
2025: Collect and process more plastic than we sell | 2022: 58% | ||
Estée Lauder, New York, NY, USA | 2025: recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled, or recoverable packaging (75–100%) | FY2022: 63% | Total weight of product package |
2025: increase PCR material to 25% or more. | FY2022: 17% | ||
2030: reduce 50% virgin petroleum content | FY2022: 87% | ||
2025:100% of our forest-based fiber cartons FSC-certified | FY2022: 95% | ||
P&G, Cincinnati, OH, USA | 2030: 100% recyclable or reusable consumer packaging | FY2022: 79% | Plastic packaging Recycled plastic resin |
2030: 50% reduction in virgin petroleum plastic (vs.2017) | FY2022: 8% | ||
100% of our paper packaging to be either recycled or third-party-certified virgin content | FY2022: 99% | ||
2025: 50% of our virgin paper packaging is FSC™-certified | FY2022: 68% | ||
Shiseido, Tokyo, Japan | 2025: 100% sustainable packaging for sale of product with plastic packaging. | 2022: 64% | |
Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany | 2025: 100% of refillable, reusable, recyclable | 2022: 67% | Fossil-based virgin plastic |
2025: 30% recycled material (vs. 2019): | 2022: 10% | ||
2025: 50% reduction in fossil-based virgin plastic (vs. 2019) | 2022: 15% | ||
LVMH, Paris, France | 2026: Zero fossil-based virgin plastic (vs. 2019) 2030: 100 % of new products covered by a sustainable design | 2022: 8% reduction | Weight of packaging |
Kao Tokyo, Japan | 2030: to begin decline Quantity of fossil-based plastics | 2021:104 thousand | Plastic package Plastic in refill replacement |
2030: 300-million quantity of innovative film-based packaging penetration for Kao and others per annum | 2021: 11 million | ||
2030: % of recycled plastic (to disclose in 2023) | 2021: 1% | ||
2025: Product-launch practical use of innovative film-based packaging made from collected pouches | 2021: product launch | ||
2025: 100% of recycled plastic in PET containers (Japan) | 2021: 19% | ||
Coty, New York, NY, USA | 2025: 100% folding box boards made with FFSC- or PEFC-certified material 2030: 20% reduction in packaging (vs. 2019) 2030: 30% usage of PCR materials | New target set in FY22. | |
COSMAX, Seongnam, South Korea | 2025: 100% of recycled plastic | ||
kdc/one, Quebec, Canada | 2025: 100% reusable or recyclable packaging | Rollout started | Type of package |
Ulta, Ulta Beauty, Bolingbrook, IL, USA | 2025: 50% of packaging will be recyclable, refillable, or made from recycled or bio-sourced materials | ||
Douglas, Düsseldorf, Germany | 2030: 50% of all new Douglas brands products will be using recycled material |
Company | Climate Change | Forests | Water Security | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
L’Oréal, Clichy, France | A | A | A | AAA | AAA | AAA- | A | A | A |
Unilever, London, UK | A | A | A | A-A-A- | AAA- | AAA- | A | A | A- |
Estée Lauder, New York, NY, USA | A | A | A- | A-B | A-B | A-B | A- | A- | A |
P&G, Cincinnati, OH, USA | B | A- | A- | No response | BA- | BA- | B | B | B |
Shiseido, Tokyo, Japan | B | A- | A- | No response | BA- | BA- | B | B | B |
LVMH, Paris, France | B | A- | A | BBBB | A-A-A- | AAA | B | A- | A |
Beiersdorf, Hamburg, Germany | A | A- | A | A- | AB | AA | B | B | A |
Kao, Tokyo, Japan | A | A | A | AA- | AA | AA | A | A | A |
Coty, New York, NY, USA | A- | B | B | No response | No response | No response | No response | No response | No response |
Johnson &Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, USA | A | A | A | A-B | A-B | BB | A | A- | A- |
Sephora, Paris, France | |||||||||
Ulta beauty, Bolingbrook, IL, USA | No response | No response | C | No response | No response | No response | |||
Douglas, Düsseldorf, Germany | No response | No response | No response | ||||||
COSMAX, Seongnam, South Korea | Submitted Unavailable | B | B | No response | No response | No response | No response | No response | B- |
kdc/one, Quebec, Canada | Submitted Unavailable | Submitted Unavailable | Submitted Unavailable | Submitted Unavailable | |||||
Intercos, Agrate Brianza, Italy |
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Lim, H.Y.; Kwon, K.H. Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies. Sustainability 2023, 15, 13286. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813286
Lim HY, Kwon KH. Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies. Sustainability. 2023; 15(18):13286. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813286
Chicago/Turabian StyleLim, Hea Young, and Ki Han Kwon. 2023. "Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies" Sustainability 15, no. 18: 13286. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813286
APA StyleLim, H. Y., & Kwon, K. H. (2023). Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies. Sustainability, 15(18), 13286. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813286