Driving Progress: L’Oréal’s Role in Advancing Environmental Science
Discover the behind-the-scenes insights into our researchers’ contributions to environmental science at the 34th annual SETAC meeting.
How do we ensure our products have minimal impact on the environment? As a global beauty leader, we consider it is our responsibility to offer products with the lowest environmental footprint and provide clear information to our consumers about this impact. We have set ourselves ambitious commitments, and to meet them we are developing definitions and methods to accurately measure the impact of our activities and our products. We actively engage with the scientific community, sharing our latest environmental research findings at significant events.
L’Oréal’s long-term commitment to environment and sustainability
As early as 1995, we created our Environmental Research Laboratory with a clear mission: to evaluate the impact of our ingredients and products on ecosystems such as water and soil, and on biodiversity. We work on improving the environmental profile of formulas to improve their biodegradability. We select our ingredients so that the final formula is environmentally friendly.
As part of our sustainable development program, L'Oréal for the Future, we have set a goal for By 2030, all the Group’s products will be eco-designed. By 2030, we will evaluate all our formulas thanks to our environmental evaluation to guarantee they are respectful of all aquatic ecosystems, whether continental or coastal.
2023 RESULTS
96%
of new or renovated products in 2023 have an improved environmental profile
82%
of our ingredients are readily biodegradable.
Behind these initiatives lies the need to evaluate the environmental impact of our products, taking into account advancements in environmental research. To achieve this, we have implemented various methodologies, developed in collaboration with independent experts and scientists, to measure the impact of our products.
The Impact of Our Products Throughout Their Lifecycle
Since 2017, we have been analyzing the impact of all our products throughout their lifecycle following the recommendations of the European Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). Our approach covers every stage of the product lifecycle, from the sourcing of raw materials to the end-of-life phase. By conducting this comprehensive analysis, we empower our consumers with clear and transparent information on the environmental impacts of our products.
Share our latest environmental research in the most impactful scientific congress SETAC
In early May 2024, L'Oréal's Research & Innovation (R&I) team participated in the 34th annual SETAC (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) congress, a landmark event in the environmental science community. They have presented their studies through 11 posters, highlighting advancements in lifecycle impact assessment methods for cosmetics and investigating the potential effects of cosmetic products on aquatic ecosystems.
About SETAC Congress:
SETAC brings together globally recognized specialists in environmental toxicology, it is dedicated to advancing environmental science and science-informed decision-making through collaboration, communication, education, and leadership. This year's conference theme, “Science-based Solutions in Crisis: Uniting Science and Policy for Environmental Challenges,” focuses on global-scale environmental approaches addressing safety concerns, sustainability, and remediation options for chemical pollution during crises.
Through our dedication to collaborative research, we will achieve our sustainable goals and deepen our understanding of cosmetics’ environmental impact. We are committed to offering products that are not only eco-designed respecting nature, but also uphold our standard of performance and efficiency.