BECCA Cosmetics

OVERALL
Owned	USA
Rating

Cosmetics

Founded in Australia in 2001 by Rebecca Morrice Williams. BECCA manufacture in Germany, Australia, the USA and soon Italy. Their products sell in 23 countries. One of a handful of Australian cosmetics companies who have had success overseas (like Aesop, Jurlique and Bloom). Acquired by Estee Lauder in 2016, who announced the brand would be discontinued in Sept 2021 after Covid-19 related struggles.

Company Ownership


BECCA Inc	USA	website	email	facebook	twitter
Estee Lauder Companies Inc owns 100% of BECCA Inc	USA	website	email	facebook	twitter
Personal care product manufacturer Founded in 1946, today their products are available in over 135 countries. The founding Lauder family owns 87% of the company stock.

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Company Assessment

PRAISE

CRITICISM

INFORMATION

BECCA Inc

Cruelty free company

This company has either signed PETA's statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests.
Source: PETA (2018)

Estee Lauder Companies Inc

CDP Forests Score of A-

In 2021, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests Score of A-.
Source: CDP (2021)

CDP Climate Change Score of A

In 2021, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A.
Source: CDP (2021)

CDP Water Security Score of A-

In 2021, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A-.
Source: CDP (2021)

82.4/100 in Newsweek rankings

America's Most Responsible Companies 2022 by Newsweek and Statista recognises the Top 500 most responsible companies in the United States. Companies were evaluated in three areas: environmental (waste, energy use, etc.), social (leadership diversity, employees and philanthropy) and governance (transparency and economic performance). This company received a total score of 82.4/100, ranking 13th in the Consumer Goods sector, and 89th overall.
Source: Newsweek (2021)

100% on Corporate Equality Index

This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign (2021)

59% at JUST Capital

JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2022 rankings the public identified 19 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 208th of 954 companies, and 5th of 9 Personal Products companies.
Source: JUST Capital (2022)

2.9% in conflict minerals rankings

As You Sow's 2019 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 215 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was 2.9% (Weak).
Source: As You Sow (2019)

Animal Testing

This company appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies That Do Test On Animals' list, signifying that they manufacture products that are tested on animals at some stage of development.
Source: PETA (2022)

D+ grade for plastic pollution

As You Sow's 2021 Corporate Plastic Pollution Scorecard ranks companies on plastic packaging pollution. The study measures the progress of 50 large companies in the beverage, quick-service restaurant, consumer packaged goods, and retail sectors on six core pillars where swift action is needed to reduce plastic pollution: 1) Packaging Design, 2) Reusable Packaging, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Public Data Transparency, 5) Support for Recycling, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of D+
Source: As You Sow (2021)

Deforestation ranking

CDP's 2019 Consumer Deforestation Report 'No wood for the trees' analyses action against deforestation by 22 consumer goods companies by scale and commodity use. Estee Lauder ranked 18th of the 22 companies.
Source: CDP (2019)

Fined for false promotion

In 2021 this company was fined 400,000 yuan (US$61,920) for false promotion by market regulators in China. Estee Lauder could not back up its claims that Clinique's fresh pressed daily booster improved pockmarks and reduced wrinkles within four weeks and improved the healing power of skin within 12 weeks. The company's action misled consumers and violated China's anti-unfair competition law. Estee Lauder also failed to back up claims that its Origins plantscription powerful lifting cream was effective in healing wounds and removing wrinkles.
Source: shine.cn (2021)

CEO Pay Ratio of 697:1

In 2019 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$30,733. The CEO was paid 697 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO (2020)

Tax avoidance

This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for the likely use of tax avoidance strategies, and has at least two high risk subsidiaries in tax havens.
Source: Ethical Consumer (2022)

Price fixing in Greece

In 2017 Greece's competition watchdog fined six leading cosmetics firms, including Christian Dior, Estee Lauder and L'Oreal 19 million euros for distorting competition. This company's Greek branch was fined 5.4 million euros.
Source: news article (2017)

Use of microplastics

This company uses plastic microbeads in some of its personal care products. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean where they contribute to ocean plastic pollution, and are hazardous to sea life. While the effects of microplastics on human health are not completely understood, there are concerns about plastic additives, such as phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors which are shown to have harmful effects on life.
Source: Beat the Microbead (2021)

Microbeads scorecard

In 2016 Greenpeace East Asia ranked the world's 30 biggest personal care companies on their commitment to eliminating microbeads from their personal care products. The scorecard was based on four main criteria: commitment & transparency, definition, deadline and global application. This company was one of the lowest ranked. Microbeads are not retained by wastewater treatment and end up in the ocean where they are a threat to the marine environment.
Source: Greenpeace (2016)

Nanoparticles in cosmetics

Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth Australia found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by Estee Lauder.
Source: FOE (2009)

Excessive CEO pay

As You Sow's 2022 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Fabrizio Freda came in at number 44 on the list, having been paid US$18,423,927 in 2021. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Source: (2022)

Excessive CEO pay

As You Sow's 2021 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Fabrizio Freda came in at number 37 on the list, having been paid US$21,435,428 in 2020. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Source: As You Sow (2021)

Price fixing

In 2005, Estee Lauder and other major cosmetics manufacturers and retailers announced they would give away $175 million in products to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the companies of price fixing. [Listed under information due to age of court date]
Source: Green America (2005)

Price fixing in France

In Jan 2012 a Paris appeals court upheld a 40 million euro fine imposed in 2006 by the French competition watchdog, which said the companies involved had reached illicit agreements on price fixing, enforced by procedures to monitor prices in outlets and backed up by commercial threats for non-compliance. Thirteen leading perfume and luxury goods companies were fined.
Source: news article (2012)

Climate action commitments

As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)

Gender equality

This company appears on the 2021 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, signifying a commitment to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency.
Source: Bloomberg (2021)

Action on mica mining in India

This company claims to source less than 10 per cent of its mica from India, but was working with a local community organisation to eliminate child labour. Estee Lauder has partnered with Indian NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) since 2006, to promote access to education as an approach to work towards the elimination of child labour in mica-sourcing communities.
Source: SMH (2014)

Circular Economy 100 member

This company is a member of the Circular Economy 100 (CE100) Network, a multi-stakeholder platform run by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The CE100 is the world's leading circular economy network, and facilitates market making by providing collaborative and pre-competitive opportunities which bring together business, innovators, cities and governments, universities, and thought leaders.
Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2019)

GC3 member (Green Chemistry)

This company is a member of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a business-to-business forum that advances the application of green chemistry and design for environment across supply chains. It provides an open forum for cross-sectoral collaboration to share information and experiences about the challenges to and opportunities for safer chemicals and products.
Source: GC3 (2019)

Sustainable Brands member

This company is a Bronze Member of the Sustainable Brands Network, the leading peer to peer, learning and networking group designed to support brands in meeting their sustainability goals and ultimately become those leaders of the next sustainable economy.
Source: Sustainable Brands (2018)

41% in Forest 500 Rankings

Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 41%.
Source: Forest 500 (2021)

Palm oil scorecard - WWF

The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 assesses 173 companies on the commitments they have made, and the actions they have taken, to ensure that there is no destruction of nature including no deforestation along their supply chains; and support a responsible and sustainable palm oil industry beyond their own supply chain. This company is rated 'middle of the pack' with a score of 14 out of a possible total of 22.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 (2019)

Modern Slavery statement

California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: Modern Slavery Registry (2016)

Skin Deep hazard scores

Skin Deep is an online safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products and their potential hazards and health concerns, with over 75,000 products rated from 1 (low hazard) to 10 (high hazard).
Source: Environmental Working Group (2019)

Political boycott

Call to boycott by BDS due to involvement in Israel. [This assessment has not been used in calculation of ratings].
Source: BDS (2009)

OpenSecrets.org profile

OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets (2020)

52/100 S&P Global ESG Score

This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 52/100 in the Personal Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). 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 (2021)

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Company Details

Type	Wholly-owned subsidiary

Contact Details

Address	New York, New York, USA
Email	care@beccacosmetics.com
Website	www.beccacosmetics.com

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BECCA Cosmetics

Becca Cosmetics

BECCA Cosmetics

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