Blackmores

OVERALL
Owned	AUS
Rating

Health supplements

Founded in Brisbane in 1930 and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange since 1985. Operates in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Japanese drinks giant Kirin has agreed to acquire Blackmores. Shareholders will vote on the deal in July 2023, with the transaction expected to close in August.


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Blackmores Ltd

4/5 for packaging performance

This company received a packaging performance level of 4 (Leading) in its 2022 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2022)

Modern Slavery disclosure quality

Modern slavery disclosure is a critical step in mitigating the risk associated with modern slavery practices in companies' operations and supply chains. The quality of the disclosure signals the level of commitments and efforts that the companies have put in managing these risks. In 2021 the Monash Centre for Financial Studies analysed and ranked the disclosure quality of the modern slavery statements submitted by the 300 largest listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX300). This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a grade of B.
Source: Monash University (2021)

Irresponsible marketing

The IBFAN Code Monitor document gives a snap shot of baby milk formula marketing in Tasmania, Australia. The document shows evidence of violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes by this company, who hasn't signed the MAIF Agreement, a voluntary self-regulatory code of conduct between the manufacturers and importers of infant formula in Australia.
Source: IBFAN (2017)

Krill supplements

In 2015 Sea Shepherd Australia targeted Blackmores over its production of krill-based omega-3 health supplements. Krill are a vital part of the Antarctic food chain and giant factory-ships are sucking up huge amounts of krill for the farmed fish and supplements industries. Vast schools of krill not only function as food for whales, penguins, seals and seabirds, but they are also huge carbon sinks that help mitigate global warming. Blackmores is the largest krill supplement manufacturer in Australia.
Source: Sea Shepherd (2015)

Nanoparticles in baby formula

Independent testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth in 2017 found nanoparticles in popular Australian infant formula products that are both illegal in Australia and potentially dangerous, including products by this company. A growing body of scientific research demonstrates that nanoparticles pose threats to human health, raising concerns about their use in food and many other consumer products.
Source: FOE (2017)

22/100 S&P Global ESG Score

This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 22/100 in the Personal Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022)

Breaching advertising codes

In 2014 and 2010 the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Complaints Resolution Panel upheld complaints about ads by this company on the grounds that they breached advertising codes. The Panel requested this company withdraw the ads and not to use representations in the ads again.
Source: TGA Complaints Register (2014)

Political donations

According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $48,944 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Source: Democracy For Sale (2018)

2008 Sustainability award

Blackmores was named the 2008 Sustainable Small Company of the Year at the 8th annual Australian Sustainability Awards ceremony, presented by Ethical Investor magazine.
Source: Sustainability Matters (2008)

Employer of Choice for Gender Equality

This company is listed by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as a Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holder. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Source: WGEA (2022)

Sustainable Seafood partnership with WWF

Blackmores partnered with WWF in 2012 to ensure that all Blackmores' fish and krill oils are responsibly sourced. Blackmores is a signatory to the WWF Global Seafood Charter and has made a considerable investment in marine conservation projects.
Source: WWF (2019)

Controversial deal with pharmacies axed

In 2011, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, which represents 94 per cent of Australia's 5200 pharmacies, agreed to start recommending a range of Blackmores products to patients when they pick up prescriptions for 4 specific ailments. Under the deal, when a prescription is filled, a prompt in the pharmacist's computer system will remind them to discuss a particular Blackmores product that has been designed to offset possible side-effects of their prescription drug. The deal was criticised by doctors, media and consumer advocates and consequently dropped.
Source: news article (2011)

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Company Details

Type	Public company
Founded	1930
Revenue	650 million AUD (2022)
Employees	1,400 (2021)
Aus Manufacturing	Yes

Contact Details

Address	20 Jubilee Ave, Warriewood, NSW, 2102, Australia
Phone	02 9910 5000
Freecall	1800 803 760
Website	www.blackmores.com.au

Products / Brands

Blackmores

Blackmores Vitamins
Blackmores Baby Formula

Blackmores

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