Since 1828, Nature has been the source of inspiration for Guerlain products. Over the years, “Preserving biodiversity” has naturally become one of the pillars of its sustainable commitment. By launching these commitments to become a member of the UEBT, the House has broken new ground. Each of its forty most significant sourcing channels will be inspected.
These will include, for example, the supplier in Calabria, Italy, through which Guerlain sources bergamot, mandarin and neroli, or those in Isparta, Turkey, and Kazanlak, Bulgaria, which provide the House with the finest Damask roses. Sustainable development improvement plans will be rolled out so that Guerlain will be able to go even further – along with every one of its suppliers and producers– in sourcing its natural materials through ethical, environmentally friendly methods.
Through this approach of ongoing improvement, Guerlain aims to have its supply chains certified with the UEBT standard by 2026. The UEBT certification calls for practices that respect biodiversity, reduce biodiversity loss and protect the rights of workers and communities.
The 7 Principles of a Strict Standard
The UEBT has established an ethical BioTrade standard based on the principles of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) BioTrade Initiative. Updated regularly, this comprehensive standard is aligned with the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations goals for sustainable development.
In order to become a member of the UEBT, commitments must be made to source with respect for these 7 principles:
- Conservation of biodiversity
- Sustainable use of biodiversity
- Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biodiversity
- Socio-economic sustainability
- Compliance with national and international legislation and agreements
- Respect for rights of workers and communities
- Clarity about land tenure, right of use and access to natural resources
Founded in 2007, the UEBT is a non-governmental organization recognised the world over for its standard of practices regarding ethical sourcing of ingredients produced through biodiversity. As a member of the UEBT, the House of Guerlain is committed to sourcing that respects Humankind and biodiversity. As part of this membership, we are setting new objectives and improving our sourcing methods in order for them to be compliant with the UEBT standard, both in terms of ethics and of respect for biodiversity. The fact that a luxury House like Guerlain is pursuing this morally ethical path today sends a strong message.
