Sustainable Sourcing
The L’OCCITANE brand sees nature as its model and draws inspiration from the natural properties of plants to drive innovation. We are dedicated to developing long-term partnerships with our producers and prioritise short, local integrated channels when sourcing our key ingredients.
BUILDING LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS BASED ON TRUST & RESPECT
L'OCCITANE works directly with over 130 French farmers and 10,000 pickers - from the immortelle fields of Corsica to the lavender fields of Provence - to ensure that the ingredients we use are of the highest quality and sourced as sustainably as possible.
Our Four Pillars Of Sustainability
Traceability
We strive to purchase local produce whenever possible, in order to reduce our carbon footprint and support local business, for the benefit of the social fabric of the region. We give priority to small, integrated networks, to bring added value to the producer and have complete control over the traceability of extracts, from the seeds right up to the finished product.
Sustainability
Our work requires respect for both man and the environment. We make no compromises with regard to the protection of endangered species or the skills of communities. We do not patent ways of using ingredients that are based on traditions (no biopiracy), but carry out effectiveness tests and work on combinations of ingredients to meet cosmetic needs.
Fairness
We strive to purchase local produce whenever possible, in order to reduce our carbon footprint and support local business, for the benefit of the social fabric of the region. We give priority to small, integrated networks, to bring added value to the producer and have complete control over the traceability of extracts, from the seeds right up to the finished product.
Quality
We strive to purchase local produce whenever possible, in order to reduce our carbon footprint and support local business, for the benefit of the social fabric of the region. We give priority to small, integrated networks, to bring added value to the producer and have complete control over the traceability of extracts, from the seeds right up to the finished product.
Traceability
30 Traceable ingredient supply chains with 50% organic certificated
Partners
80 Partnerships with farmers
Pickers
10,000 Pickers working for L'Occitane
Ingredients True Story
At L'OCCITANE, we strive to use high-quality, traceable ingredients of natural origin. We use over 200 plant-derived ingredients, a quarter of them organic certified, which are carefully selected for their effectiveness and their ability to give your skin the elements it needs to look beautiful. We therefore systematically give priority to natural ingredients whenever possible. Discover L’OCCITANE’s most beloved products, made with the finest ingredients and 40 years of traditions. Provençal Almond, Burkina Faso Shea butter… all ethically sourced!
Animal Testing
The L’OCCITANE Group has been against animal testing for more than 40 years and we have never tested our products, active ingredients or raw materials on animals at any point in the product development or manufacturing process.
The Group is fundamentally against animal testing of beauty products on a worldwide basis. In China, where our products are retailed, the local Chinese authorities request that some cosmetic products sold on the Chinese market are tested. They view it as the best way to safeguard consumer safety in China.
We do not conduct these tests. They are done by Chinese laboratories that have been approved by local authorities on a limited animal panel.
To move things forward, the cosmetics industry is developing its relationship with the Chinese authorities with the clear objective of bringing animal testing for beauty products to a definitive end. The industry has engaged with the relevant authorities and animal rights NGOs so as to highlight alternative techniques that are being used in Europe, where animal testing has now been banned.
This constructive dialogue has led to a series of advances in Chinese regulation, including a decision in June 2014 to end this type of testing on so-called “ordinary cosmetics” that are manufactured and packaged locally (shampoo, perfume etc.). Another major milestone was made in November 2016 when the CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of a non-animal test for safety assessment of certain cosmetic ingredients. Currently the NIFDC (National Institute for Food and Drug Control) is considering acceptance of other alternatives to animal testing (AAT).
To further demonstrate our commitment to ending animal testing, the L’OCCITANE Group has partnered with the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS). The IIVS has an active program in China dedicated to promoting the use and regulatory acceptance of AAT. More information about this program can be found on the IIVS website.
We remain convinced that this open dialogue with Chinese organisations will further influence Chinese regulation and put an end to animal testing once and for all.
Thank you for your interest and we hope this statement has clarified our position.
SUSTAINABLE SOURCING AND HUMAN RIGHTS
As a responsible company, we are aware of the challenges of complex global supply chains, particularly when they involve small family plantations, rural areas or areas with limited resources.
This is why we take actions to ensure that all our sourcing is ethical and responsible.
We choose our suppliers beyond a simple buyer relationship and ensure that they are committed to human rights and environmental practices. Each of them must sign our Code of Business Conduct, which commits them to respecting the principles essential to our Group – protecting human rights, decent working and living conditions, and environmental protection.
With our programme #NotJustSuppliers, we assess every year the compliance of our suppliers to our Code of Business Conduct. If the assessment reveals any weaknesses, we ask the supplier to take immediate action, and we conduct a second assessment within the year to ensure improvements are being made.
Our direct procurement
Where we source directly, we take action on the ground to address the root causes of child labour. We know that family-run small plantations and poverty are major causes of it. By contributing to stable and decent incomes, we are enabling an increase in the standard of living and school enrolment rates of children.
Our indirect procurement
Where we source indirectly, we ensure that our suppliers are committed to our Responsible Purchasing policy and use certified ingredients. For example, nearly all our palm oil derivatives used in L’OCCITANE en Provence and Melvita formulas are certified as ethical and sustainable by the RSPO.To have concrete impact, we are strongly engaged with other industry players to improve the transparency and traceability of these supply chains. Since 2011, we have been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), an organisation that promotes the production of palm oil that respects the environment and the rights of workers in the supply chain. We also joined Action for Sustainable Derivatives (ASD) since its creation, a as well as the Responsible Beauty Initiative, an industry-wide initiative to improve the sustainability of supply chains across the beauty industry.
We support the implementation of an international framework for due diligence, requiring each company to identify and act on human rights and environmental issues in its value chain. As part of this, we encourage the sharing of all types of information related to potential issues in our supply chains. If such issues are identified, we will take firm and immediate action with our suppliers to remedy them as soon as possible.
For more information on:
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO): https://rspo.org/
Our actions: https://group.loccitane.com/commitments/commitments-publications