Shiseido Promises To Use Only RSPO-Certified Palm Oil In 2013

Japan-based cosmetics company Shiseido pledged to use only palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil in 2013. Shiseido joined the RSPO in 2010. Certification of Shiseido's sustainability plan involves using the Book&Claim system for trading palm oil and palm kernel oil made at RSPO-certified plantations.

"Shiseido commits to 100% RSPO-certified palm oil in 2013", Cosmetics Design, November 12, 2012

Unilever Launches Study Of Sustainable Living In Real Life

Unilever launched the "Sustain Ability Challenge," a study aimed at understanding consumer attitudes toward sustainable living. After recruiting 12 families in the United Kingdom as participants, the study will involve a series of monthly challenges designed to help them reduce their monthly food expenditure by 15 percent and their household wastes by 25 percent, the company claims. Seeking to highlight the drivers and barriers to changing consumer behavior toward sustainable choices, the study will also help Unilever design better behavior-change marketing strategies.

"Unilever 'social experiment' to shape marketing", Marketing Week, November 01, 2012

China's Animal Testing Requirement Keeps Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Firms Away

China’s policy requiring cosmetics to be tested on animals before they are allowed to be sold in the country prevents some cosmetics companies, which are against animal testing, from entering the market. The Body Shop, for example, has refrained from expanding in to China to avoid violating the company’s cruelty-free policies. In the Philippines, The Body Shop launched its Christmas line of skincare products for 2012.

"Chinese dilemma", Business World, November 11, 2012

Muslim Consumers Buy Halal-Certified Cosmetics And Personal Care Products

Sales of Halal-certified cosmetics and personal care products reached more than US$5 billion, according to estimates, with Asia and Muslim countries having the highest adoption rates. Multinational manufacturers, including Colgate-Palmolive and Avon, have launched Halal-certified products, while chemical manufacturers, such as BASF and CP Kelco, are seeking certification of their ingredients for these markets. The increase in Halal label's popularity began when Malaysia introduced in June 2010 the Halal cosmetics standard based on the strict rules of Sharia law. Currently, 57 certification organizations are authorized to certify products based on the Halal cosmetics standard.

"Halal Cosmetics: Meeting the Ethical Needs of Consumers?", Happi, November 02, 2012

Procter & Gamble Launches Post-Consumer Waste Recycling Project In The Philippines

Procter & Gamble launched a pilot materials recovery facility project in the Philippines. Designed to overcome the lack of treatment and recovery infrastructure in developing countries, the "Waste to Worth" project is a joint venture with the Asian Development Bank. P&G said it plans to study the feasibility of other similar pilot projects in 2012–2020 as part of its efforts to eliminate landfill-bound post-consumption waste.

"P&G pilots first 'scalable MRF' for post-consumer waste", edie news, November 13, 2012

L’Oréal's Sustainability And CSR Efforts Gain Recognition From Foundation For Social Change

L’Oréal received the Leader of Change Award from the Foundation for Social Change for its "creativity and leadership" in focusing on and dealing with important social and environmental issues. Given during the 2012 Global Conference for Social Change, hosted by the New York University's Stern School of Business and the United Nations Office of Partnerships, the award is aimed at inspiring enterprises to promote environmental protection and social responsibility, as well as highlight the "positive business benefits" of sustainability. 

"L'Oréal Recognized by Foundation for Social Change as a "Leader of Change"", CSRWire, November 13, 2012

Cargill’s Sustainable Cocoa Program Proves Profitable For Côte d’Ivoire Farmers

Global food producer Cargill says its sustainable cocoa program has helped cocoa farmers in the Côte d’Ivoire boost yields and improve bean quality and, in turn, increased farmers’ profits. According to the company, 26,500 Ivorian farmers across 43 certified cooperatives received Cargill’s sustainable cocoa premium totaling $7.6 million. The premium has raised farmers’ direct revenues by 17 percent on average. Cargill customers who buy certified cocoa and chocolate ingredients contribute directly to these premium payments that over the last three years have totaled more than U.S. $12.2 million.

"Cargill’s leading sustainable cocoa program boosts profits for Ivorian cocoa farmers", Press release, Cargill, November 13, 2012

P&G Pledges To Use Fiber From Sustainable Sources

Procter & Gamble announced new fiber-sourcing goals for the pulp it uses for its tissue-towel, baby care, and feminine hygiene products. Developed in partnership with World Wildlife Fund, the new goals are expected to help P&G achieve its long-term environmental sustainability goals, which include using 100 percent sustainably sourced renewable or recycled materials. Through these goals, P&G commits that by 2015 all the pulp it uses will be certified by third-party organizations under duly recognized certification programs used in different parts of the world. Also, the company pledges that by that time, 40 percent of the pulp will be Forest Stewardship Council certified.

"P&G Releases New Fiber Sourcing Goals for Tissue-Towel and Absorbent Hygiene Products", Procter & Gamble, November 08, 2012