Press release -
IFRA joins breakthrough initiative to enable more sustainable consumer choices
The International Fragrance Association has joined a group of 36 cosmetics and personal care companies as well as professional associations to form the EcoBeautyScore Consortium, aiming to develop an industry-wide environmental impact assessment and scoring system for cosmetics products.
With small and large companies and associations from four continents, the EcoBeautyScore Consortium is truly global and inclusive. It remains open for other companies and associations to join.
The 36 members so far include IFRA, Amorepacific, Babor, Beiersdorf, Colgate-Palmolive, Cosmébio, COSMED, Cosmetic Valley, Cosmetics Europe, cosnova, Coty, The Estée Lauder Companies, Eugène Perma, FEBEA, The Fragrance Creators Association, Henkel, IKW Beauty Care, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., JUST International AG, Kao, L’Oréal Groupe, LVMH, Nafigate, NAOS, Natrue, Natura &Co, NOHBA, Oriflame, P&G, Paragon Nordic, Puig, PZ Cussons, Shiseido, Sisley, STANPA, Unilever.
The purpose of the EcoBeautyScore Consortium: enable consumers to make sustainable choices through an environmental impact assessment and scoring system
The EcoBeautyScore Consortium is developing an industry-wide environmental impact assessment and scoring system for cosmetics products. The approach has a global scope and may help provide consumers with clear, transparent, and comparable environmental impact information, based on a common science-based methodology.
This will contribute to meet growing consumer demand for greater transparency about the environmental impact of cosmetics products (formula, packaging and usage). Indeed, a significant proportion of consumers (42%) is interested in buying brands that concentrate on circular and sustainable practices.*
The work plan of the EcoBeautyScore Consortium: to co-build a scientific methodology for the environmental impact assessment and scoring system
The Consortium is working with the experienced sustainability consultancy Quantis to ensure a robust and scientific approach to co-build an assessment methodology and scoring system that are guided by and articulated around:
- A common method for measuring environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of products, backed by the principles of the “Product Environmental Footprint” (the European Union’s PEF scientific method based on life cycle assessment (LCA) for quantifying the environmental footprint of products).
- A common database of environmental impact of standard ingredients and raw materials used in formulas and packaging, as well as during product usage.
- A common tool that enables the assessment of the environmental impact of individual products, usable by non-experts.
- A harmonized scoring system that enables companies, on a voluntary basis, to inform consumers about the environmental footprint of their cosmetic products. The methodology, data base, tool and scoring system will be verified by independent parties.
Operationally, the EcoBeautyScore Consortium is also supported by Capgemini Invent (project management) and Mayer Brown (legal counsel).
The EcoBeautyScore Consortium next steps
The 36 members of the EcoBeautyScore Consortium have started to work together organized in thematic working groups. A footprinting and scoring prototype is targeted for end of 2022, providing the environmental scoring for a selection of product categories at first. It will then be verified by independent parties.
The EcoBeautyScore Consortium is calling on cosmetics and personal care companies and professional associations to join this unique initiative
This Consortium is open to all cosmetics and personal care companies, regardless of their size or resources. Other stakeholders will be informed and consulted throughout the process. All companies will benefit from the pre-existing work and are invited to contribute with their own experience.
The Consortium will also consult external experts, including scientists, academics, and NGOs to make sure the process is as inclusive as possible. The work developed by the Consortium will be published and may be used on a strictly voluntary basis by both Consortium participants and all other interested parties.
Cosmetics and personal care companies and professional associations wishing to know more are invited to contact: contact@ecobeautyscore-consortium.org.
Media contact: media@ecobeautyscore-consortium.org
* Source: Capgemini Research Institute, Circular Economy for a sustainable future report, August–September 2021
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The International Fragrance Association, founded in 1973, represents the interests of the fragrance industry worldwide. IFRA comprises seven multinational Regular Members and 22 national associations in four global regions representing hundreds of small and medium-sized fragrance companies, as well as supporting members. Its mission is to promote the safe use of fragrance for everyone’s enjoyment.
Fragrances are a key platform technology used by consumer goods companies – for fine fragrances, personal care products and cosmetics, homecare and more.
IFRA’s flagship safe use program, the IFRA Standards, applies safety management measures based on scientific assessment and the evaluations of an independent Expert Panel. The program is at the heart of the IFRA Code of Practice, which applies to all IFRA members globally, including members of IFRA’s national associations. The Code also requires members to abide by local, national and international regulation, and to apply good manufacturing practices.
