MARK SMITH
The International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association (NATRUE), Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

Sustainability is multifaceted; consisting of three pillars: economic, social and environmental. Although once seen as a policy or trend in cosmetics, sustainability has become an inevitability for all. The last five years have demonstrated a noticeable acceleration for manufacturers to improve their sustainability profile. Moreover, the impact of the covid-19 pandemic has further raised consumer awareness of the health, environmental and social contributions of a product.

A company’s green growth goals should reflect a reduced environmental impact coupled with a positive, social responsibility policy. Innovation and design cannot work in isolation, and throughout the supply chain there is a need to think holistically and ensure traceability in order to substantiate product claims, and support consumers in their purchasing decisions.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: PLANETARY AND SOCIETAL NEEDS
The Earth has boundaries, which, when passed, means our planet is en route to becoming uninhabitable since ecological restoration is no longer possible. To-date nine planetary boundaries have been defined including biodiversity loss, deforestation and water and air pollution. Currently, our planet’s ecological ceiling is breaking in areas like climate change and biodiversity loss.

To assist the planetary needs whilst promoting prosperity, in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UN Member States adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (1), and many companies are transforming these goals into their Corporate Social Responsibility policy to better align their products and organisation with social and environmental needs.

CONSUMER EXPECTATION, TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY
In 2014 an EU Commission consumer market study on environmental claims for non-foods products (2) identified that although 3 out of 4 products display an environmental claim or label in the EU, and that 57% of EU consumers are receptive to environmental ...