DISCOVER THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
AND SOCIAL IMPACT
OF OUR PRODUCTS
At Vichy Laboratoires, health is in our DNA from day one.
Because health cannot be achieved if we don’t first start by respecting the health of our planet.
OVERALL
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
At Vichy Laboratoires, we are committed to improving the environmental impact of our products and empowering consumers with the information they need to make more sustainable choices. That’s why Vichy Laboratoires is making available to its consumers a labelling system that offers clear information on the environmental & social impact of its skincare products (creams, serums, cleansing products and other skin treatments).
MEASURING IMPACT ACROSS THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE
The “Overall Environmental Impact” score gives an accurate vision of the impact
of a product by taking into account 14 planetary impact factors, such as
greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, ocean acidification or the impact on
biodiversity. The impacts are measured at every stage of a product’s life cycle
and calculated by looking not only at sourcing, production and transportation,
but also consumer usage and packaging recyclability.
Carbon and water footprints are specifically highlighted as they represent two
thirds, on average, of the overall environmental impact of cosmetics products
assessed throughout this methodology.
SO YOU CAN EASILY COMPARE PRODUCTS
Each product can be ranked in comparison to other products in the same
category. For example, a face care product is compared to more than 1,400
other face care products from L’Oréal. Products with a score of "A" have the most
favorable footprint.
This tool also allows us to precisely identify the areas of progress to improve the
products rated D or E : modify their packaging, reformulate the products or
review their manufacture
IF YOU ARE HESITATING BETWEEN TWO PRODUCTS, COMPARE THEIR IMPACTS
This calculation methodology was developed by the L'Oréal Group with 11 independent scientific experts and is aligned with the European "Environmental Product Footprint" standards. Application of the impact calculation method and the accuracy of the data were verified by the independent auditor Bureau Veritas.
->Learn more about the methodology.
->Bureau Veritas verification statement.
Glossary
Want to know more? Find below some useful definitions and tips!
CARBON FOOTPRINT
The amount of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) released throughout a product’s life cycle, i.e. during the production of ingredients and packaging, the product manufacturing, its transportation, use by consumers and the recycling of its packaging.
Since 2018, the Vichy Laboratoires plant has been carbon neutral, meaning that it offsets 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. 30% of its electricity is renewable and locally produced thanks to solar panels on its roof. Our goal is to reach 50% by 2030.
WATER FOOTPRINT
Amount of water used throughout a product’s life cycle, i.e. the water needed for the production of ingredients and packaging, the water needed to produce the products in the factory, the water consumed during use (e.g. shower) and the water needed to treat the wastewater.
Our Vichy Laboratoires plant is a “dry factory” meaning that 100% of the water used for industrial processes is purified and reused for other processes on-site such as cooling or washing other types of equipment. The plant will become full waterloop in 2025.
RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURING PLANT
A manufacturing plant that, year after year, reduces its greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions, water consumption, waste generation, and that contributes to the development of local employment - especially for people in vulnerable economic situations - and access to training for its employees.
Since 2005, our Vichy Laboratoires plant has reduced its energy consumption by 60%, its water consumption by 85%, its CO2 emissions by 100% and its waste production by 45%.
CERTIFIED PAPER/CARDBOARD FSC™ or PEFC
The paper or cardboard used in the product packaging (leaflets or folding boxes) come from responsibly managed forests or other controlled sources that are respectful of the environment, biodiversity, and people. They are independently certified following the conditions defined by either the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™) or the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
All our packaging and instruction leaflets without exception come from sustainably managed and certified forests.
RECYCLED MATERIAL
Material produced using other recycled materials.
Today, 1/3 of our skincare bottles packaging are made from recycled plastic and our Capital Soleil Solar Ecodesigned Milk is designed with 45% less plastic than a conventional tube. By 2030, our objective is for our packaging to be 100% made from recycled or biobased plastic.
*in Europe and the United States
RECYCLABLE
Components that can - where the infrastructure allows - be collected and treated by a special industrial process to give rise to a new material.
Today, 100% of our glass jars are recyclable. By 2025, Vichy Laboratoires will ensure 100% of plastic packaging will be refillable, rechargeable, recyclable or compostable.
THE 4 PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COMPACT ON LABOR RIGHTS
All direct suppliers of our product components or ingredients have committed to respect the fundamental principles of the UN on labor standards.
- The right of workers to associate freely and engage in collective bargaining
- No forced or compulsory labour
- No child labour
- No discrimination among workers
Since 2006, the L'Oréal Group has carried out more than 13,600 on-site social audits conducted by accredited third parties.
SUPPLIERS COMMITTED TO SOCIAL INCLUSION
Ingredient and packaging suppliers that provide access to work and a decent wage to people in socially and/or economically vulnerable communities. These suppliers support at least one Solidarity Project.
In 2020, the L’Oréal Group’s Solidarity Sourcing Program enabled more than 80,000 people from underprivileged communities to gain or keep access to a job and a decent wage.
