Middle East
Respecting Human Rights
Our Commitment
At L’Oréal, we believe that people are at the heart of everything we do. Our values guide our decisions and actions. We consider it our duty to act ethically and responsibly.
Respecting Human Rights is an essential part of this commitment, in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
This means respecting the dignity of each and every human being, in all our day-to-day activities, throughout our value chains.
We recognize that respecting and promoting human rights is not only a moral imperative but also a fundamental aspect of sustainable business practices.
The L’Oréal leadership team takes this responsibility very seriously, and we are committed to working in alignment with these principles every day.
"As a company, we are aware that we can have an impact on people, communities and the planet, and it is our collective responsibility, to work towards respecting human rights"
Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of L’Oréal Groupe
“As a company, we are aware that we can have an impact on people, communities and the planet, and it is our collective responsibility, to work towards respecting human rights.” Nicolas Hieronimus
Group Policies
Three main Human Rights policies set out the Group’s approach to Human Rights:
Human Rights Policy (2017)
In 2017, L'Oréal adopted its global Human Rights Policy, aligning with the standards set by the United Nations. This policy outlines the Group’s stance on respecting human rights throughout the company's value chains.
Employee Human Rights Policy (2020)
In 2020, L'Oréal launched its Employee Human Rights Policy, recognizing that setting an example for universal social standards begins from within the company. This policy ensures that the rights, well-being and dignity of L'Oréal employees are protected and respected throughout the Group.
To know more
Mutual Ethical Commitment Letter (2021)
In 2021, the Group updated its Mutual Ethical Commitment Letter which sets L’Oréal’s expectations towards our suppliers. L’Oréal actively seeks out and favours business partners who share its ethical standards with regards to, amongst others, human rights and working conditions. The Group is committed to supporting business partners in meeting these standards.
Alongside these policies, the 2030 Forest Policy (available here) lays out the Group’s commitments and expectations around human rights topics with regards to Forest-related raw materials.
The Group’s Responsible Advertising & Marketing Communications Policy (available here) outlines our commitments and actions to advertise, promote, and communicate responsibly, in line notably with our Human Rights commitments.
Governance
L’Oréal’s commitment to respect Human Rights is supported at the highest level of the Company.
The Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, who is a member of the Executive Committee, is responsible for overseeing the respect of Human Rights in the Group.
A dedicated network of more than 50 Human Rights Correspondents helps embed a Human Rights culture at entity level, covering all the Group’s main corporate functions, zones and markets.
The Human Rights Committee, presided by the Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, and composed of representatives of the various divisions, functions and zones, allows exchange on the implementation of the Group’s Human Rights policy and fosters decisions.
Human Rights Due Diligence
L'Oréal conducted a comprehensive analysis of our salient human rights risks across all our markets based on the UNGP Reporting Framework. These risks are reflected in our commitments and addressed through specific action plans. To know more, you can find the Group’s Human Rights report here.
Human Rights Partnerships
We are aware that we cannot tackle this issue alone as we are part of many communities around the world. We also know that when it comes to our stakeholders, we need to listen to those who may be affected. Our Human Rights partnerships help us to reinforce our efforts and to always go further.
Harvesting the Future - Jasmine in Egypt
L’Oréal is member of Fair Labor Association’s project, Harvesting the Future - Jasmine in Egypt.
The Fair Labor Association, the International Labour Organization (ILO) office in Egypt, and more than 15 national and international producers and purchasers of jasmine and jasmine derivatives and products are working together to promote child protection and decent working conditions in the jasmine sector in Egypt. The Government of Egypt and several local civil society organizations also are active partners in the project.
Joint efforts to improve labor rights and working conditions in the jasmine supply chain include strategies to promote fair compensation and build the economic resilience of families; strengthen child protection measures and improve children’s access to education and childcare; improve human rights due diligence systems at the processor level; and generate support for legal and policy initiatives, including social protection measures.
Open For Business
L’Oréal is member of Open for Business, a coalition of global businesses that aims to advance LGBTQIA+ rights globally and to create a global consensus that LGBTQIA+ inclusion is an economic and business issue. This helps build momentum for LGBTQIA+ rights around the world and gives support to businesses operating in markets where these issues are especially urgent.
Find out more here
Fair Wage Network
L’Oréal works with the Fair Wage Network. Ensuring a living wage means paying workers enough to provide food, housing and basic needs for themselves and their dependents, regardless of the country where they work. In 2023, L’Oréal was awarded the Living Wage Employer accreditation by Fair Wage Network, in recognition of our status as a committed global Living Wage employer.
Find out more about living wage policy here.
Shift
In 2020, L'Oréal began participation in Shift’s Business Learning Program. Shift is the leading center of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Unstereotype Alliance
L’Oréal joined Unstereotype Alliance, an industry-led initiative established by UN Women. Its mission is to eradicate harmful stereotypes in advertising and media. At L’Oréal, we believe that being a truly inclusive company requires a continuous evolution in mindset to embrace new ways of thinking, working, and creating, which is reflected in our advertising and marketing
Responsible Mica Initiative
Conscious of human rights-related issues and risks in the mica supply chain, L’Oréal joined the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI). This global multistakeholder coalition comprised of companies, NGOs, and governments to address the problems of child labor and unsafe working conditions in the mica mining industry
Consumer Goods Forum
L'Oréal is a member of the Human Rights Working Group of the Consumer Goods Forum (CFG), a global coalition promoting human rights due diligence systems in business activities. The main objective is to safeguard workers' rights at every stage of the value chain, ensuring that they are protected, respected, and have appropriate recourse, and that forced labor is eliminated
Reporting on Progress
Our practices, successes and challenges ahead are further described in L’Oréal’s Human Rights Report (available here) and we report yearly progress in the Group’s Universal Registration Document.