The Body Shop Announces New Initiative on Sustainable Palm Oil to Tackle Global Threat to Biodiversity

Published 07-12-07

Submitted by Body Shop, The

NEW YORK, NY - July 12, 2007 - The Body Shop International today became the first cosmetics and toiletries retailer to introduce sustainable palm oil into the global beauty industry. The company has made this pioneering move as a response to the continued and rapid destruction of the world’s ancient rainforests caused by irresponsible palm oil production, by working in partnership with Daabon, a certified organic producer in Colombia, which works extensively with local cooperatives.

This move represents a major practical step by a global retailer and equates to 14.5 million bars of soap sold per annum in more than 2,200 stores across 57 countries across the world, with these soaps sold in more than 300 stores across the United States.

For almost 20 years, Daabon has focused on certified organic production, and has since started focusing on social standards, such as SA8000, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. Peter Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of The Body Shop said today: "The switch to sustainable palm oil is a landmark step forward for The Body Shop and a potentially groundbreaking development for the whole cosmetics industry. Many people who use soap everyday will be unaware that they are contributing to a major environmental catastrophe: the destruction of ancient rainforests and the extinction of endangered species."

The Body Shop is now calling on other manufacturers and retailers to follow their lead to help slow the drastic environmental and social effects of unsustainable production and ensure that within the next two to three years, the majority of palm oil is produced sustainably. Mr. Saunders notes that "this will not be achieved by The Body Shop in isolation "“ our decision must inspire other businesses to join us and tackle the problem head on."

Matthias Diemer, palm oil expert, WWF Switzerland, commented: "The Body Shop is the first global cosmetics company to introduce sustainable palm oil into its product lines"¦and we hope that many more companies will follow suit."

Palm oil is one of the world's most popular vegetable oils. It is used in countless everyday items including cosmetics, household products and foods and is regularly consumed by over a billion people worldwide.

A huge growth in demand "“ a six-fold increase since the mid 1980s "“ has led to the clearance of vast areas of primary rainforests for plantations, particularly in South East Asia.

At current rates of destruction, around 1.3m hectares of forest "“ equating to around six football pitches per minute "“ will be cleared this year in Borneo alone to allow for new plantations.

Production impacts on the rights of indigenous populations, often creates poor labor conditions and has severe health implications for women working on the plantations.

Deforestation's most drastic effect is on endangered animal species such as orang-utans in Borneo and Sumatra, Sumatran rhinoceros and Asian elephant and tigers, all of which are heading towards extinction due to the loss of natural habitat.

The Body Shop has focused on tackling the palm oil issue for some years and is a leading figure on the global Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Mr. Diemer "applaud(s) the pioneering role The Body Shop has taken in helping to formulate strong standards for sustainable palm oil production through the RSPO." Today, over 250 organizations have committed themselves to finding solutions to the grave issues posed by palm oil production, including a number of major retailers who now make up a 20 strong group within the RSPO. The Body Shop now calls for more retailers to join the RSPO, and for those who have already made this commitment to begin sourcing RSPO certified sustainable palm oil as soon as it becomes available later this year.

Background:

Palm oil is an important and versatile raw ingredient, accounting for more than 29 million tonnes of the world’s annual 95 million tonnes of vegetable oil.

Sustainable palm oil production means far less destructive planting methods, and therefore protects rainforest biodiversity. Through The Body Shop Foundation, the retailer has provided practical advice to plantations and advocated the inclusion of small-scale farmers by funding projects for small-holders to help make this happen in other parts of the world.

The Body Shop has commissioned an audit of the Daabon operation to ensure that neither environment, people nor wildlife are under threat from the cultivation of palm oil. The audit used the Principles & Criteria developed by the stakeholders of the RSPO, which will form the basis of a certification scheme for sustainable palm oil by the end of 2007.

The Body Shop will continue to positively engage with the major players in the palm oil supply chain to encourage the switch to an effective sustainable option. The RSPO has developed a set of Principles & Criteria for the Production of Sustainable Palm Oil and a full certification scheme is expected to be finalised in November 2007

In the meantime, move to sustainable palm oil by The Body Shop means that the business can ensure that its use of palm oil does not contribute to deforestation and that conditions can begin to improve within the industry.

About The Body Shop

Community Trade is a special trading program created by The Body Shop, sourcing naturals and accessory items from disadvantaged communities across the world. The program’s aim is to satisfy our demand for natural ingredients, gifts and accessories in a fair way, in turn bringing sustainable benefits to those communities.

A global retailer of high quality toiletries and cosmetics, we are also committed to environmental protection and respect for human rights. We develop trading relationships with communities in need; we are against animal testing in the cosmetics industry; and we encourage education, awareness and community involvement among their staff and customers. Visit The Body Shop online at www.thebodyshopinternational.com and www.thebodyshop.com.

Body Shop, The

The Body Shop offers approximately 1,200 skincare, cosmetics and toiletries products in more than 330 retail locations in the Unites States. Globally, The Body Shop has more than has more than 2,000 stores in over 57 countries. Community Trade is a special trading program created by The Body Shop, sourcing naturals and accessory items from disadvantaged communities across the world. The program’s aim is to satisfy our demand for natural ingredients, gifts and accessories in a fair way, in turn bringing sustainable benefits to those communities. A global retailer of high quality toiletries and cosmetics, we are also committed to environmental protection and respect for human rights. We develop trading relationships with communities in need; we are against animal testing in the cosmetics industry; and we encourage education, awareness and community involvement among their staff and customers. Visit The Body Shop online at www.thebodyshopinternational.com and www.thebodyshop.com.

The Body Shop Announces New Initiative on Sustainable Palm Oil to Tackle Global Threat to Biodiversity

The Body Shop Announces New Initiative on Sustainable Palm Oil to Tackle Global Threat to Biodiversity

Body Shop, The

Body Shop, The

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