Procter & Gamble

OVERALL
Owned	USA
Rating

Household and personal care product manufacturer

The world's #1 maker of household products. P&G bought Clairol in 2001, Wella in 2003, Gillette in 2005, and sold its coffee brands in 2008. In 2014 the company announced it would sell or drop more than half of its brands.

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Company Assessment

PRAISE	CRITICISM	INFORMATION
Procter & Gamble Company
Palm oil scorecard - UCS The Union of Concerned Scientists' 2015 Palm Oil Scorecard scores America's top brands on their commitments to use deforestation-free palm oil. This company received a score of 84.2/100, signifying strong commitment. [Source 2015][More on Palm Oil] Palm oil scorecard - WWF This company received a score of 7 out of a possible total of 9 in the WWF Palm Oil Buyers' Scorecard 2016, which rates companies on what they are - and aren't - doing to prevent the negative environmental and social impacts of palm oil production. [Source 2016][More on Palm Oil] Commitment to zero deforestation 4/5 The Forest 500 identifies, ranks, and tracks the governments, companies and financial institutions worldwide that together could virtually eradicate tropical deforestation. Rankings are based on their public policies and commitments and potential impacts on tropical forests in the context of forest risk commodities (palm oil, soya, beef, leather, timber, and pulp and paper). This company received a score of 4/5. [Source 2018][More on Forests] 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 2019][More on Workers Rights]	Plastic pollution In 2018 volunteers collected and catalogued more than 187,000 pieces of trash from beach cleanups around the world to find out which corporations are contributing the most to the global plastic pollution problem. This company ranked as one of the world's top 10 plastic polluters. [Source 2018][More on Oceans] Palm oil sourcing This company sources palm oil from at least 20 of the 25 dirty palm oil producers identified in the 2018 Greenpeace report "The Final Countdown". In addition to deforestation, the 25 individual cases in the report include evidence of exploitation and social conflicts, illegal deforestation, development without permits, plantation development in areas zoned for protection and forest fires linked to land clearance. [Source 2018][More on Palm Oil] Animal Testing Record of testing products on animals. Listed on PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals, USA) 'Companies that test on animals' factsheet. [Source 2018][More on Animal Testing] 33.1% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017 This company received a score of 33.1/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor. [Source 2017][More on Sustainability Reporting] Supply chain practices in China This company received a score of 10.5/100 (retrieved 14-Feb-2018) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains. [Source 2018][More on Habitats] Labour abuses in Malaysia A civil society coalition is calling on investors and buyers (including this company) of palm oil producer Felda Global Ventures (FGV) to take robust, transparent action to address ongoing risks. This follows the Wall Street Journal's expose of human trafficking, forced labor, withholding of wages and other abuses of workers on FGV's palm plantations in July 2015. [Source 2016][More on Palm Oil] Palm oil from Wilmar A 2016 report by Amnesty International found a range of labour rights abuses on the palm oil plantations operated by Wilmar's subsidiaries and suppliers in Indonesia. These abuses include worst forms of child labour, forced labour, discrimination against women workers, people being paid below the minimum wage, and workers suffering injuries from toxic chemicals. The report confirms that this company purchases palm oil from Wilmar. [Source 2016][More on Palm Oil] Unsustainable palm oil use This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for their use of palm oil, signifying they are using no or minimal certified palm products, and with no or minimal positive commitments. [Source 2019][More on Palm Oil] Nanoparticles in cosmetics Testing commissioned by Friends of the Earth Australia found nanoparticles in foundations and concealers sold by Procter & Gamble. [Source 2009][More on Product Safety] Conflict minerals rating As You Sow's 2018 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 206 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was above 40% (Minimal). [Source 2018][More on Human Rights] Price fixing in France In Dec 2014 this company and 12 other consumer goods firms were fined a total of 951m euros by the French competition watchdog for price fixing in supermarkets. The regulator said the companies colluded on price increases between 2003 and 2006. [Source 2014][More on Governance]	Possible GE in US brands This company has products rated RED in the Centre for Food Safety's True Food Shopper's Guide (USA). Products on the RED list contain ingredients that come from the most common GE crops (corn, soy, canola, cotton). Companies with products on this list have confirmed that their products may have or are likely to be made with GE ingredients, or have not denied using GE foods when given the opportunity to do so. [Source 2013][More on Genetic Engineering] Guide to Healthy Cleaning grade (B-F) EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning provides safety ratings for household cleaning products, with over 2,500 products rated from A (lowest concern) to F (highest concern). This company's score range is B to F, with over 90% of products scoring a D or F. [Source 2016][More on Product Safety] Harmful ingredients in tampons & pads This company is the target of a campaign by Women's Voices for the Earth, who say that Proctor & Gamble use harmful chemicals in their Tampax and Always feminine care products. [Source 2014][More on Product Safety] Skin Deep hazard score (1-9) Skin Deep is an online safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products and their potential hazards and health concerns, with over 69,000 products rated from 1 (low hazard) to 10 (high hazard). [Source 2016][More on Product Safety] Excessive CEO pay As You Sow's 2019 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, David S. Taylor came in at number 74 on the list, having been paid US$17,354,256 in 2018. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole." [Source 2019][More on Finance] Price fixing in Europe Consumer goods giants Unilever and Procter & Gamble were fined 315.2 million euros ($A436 million) by EU regulators in Apr 2011 for fixing washing powder prices in eight EU countries. [Listed under Information due to age of court finding] [Source 2011][More on Governance] Misleading information Procter & Gamble has boycotts called against it by several animal rights organisations for its continued testing of new ingredients on animals. In April 2002, the RSPCA severed its ties with P&G when it transpired that the company's statement that 'We do not use cats and dogs in research or testing for non-drug products' was untrue, and that the company did indeed use both cats and dogs in such laboratory experiments. [Source x][More on Governance] 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; remove commodity-driven deforestation from all supply chains by 2020; [Source 2017][More on Climate Change] Alliance to End Plastic Waste member This company is a member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste which aims to eliminate plastic waste in the environment. [Source 2019][More on Oceans] Ingredients transparency The Environmental Working Group commended this company in 2016 for taking a significant step today toward greater transparency about its ingredients by making public a list of more than 140 chemicals it does not use in any fragrances in its brands. The company disclosed its full fragrance palette in 2012. [Source 2016][More on Product Safety] Gender equality This company was included in Bloomberg's 2019 Gender-Equality Index, a list of 230 companies committed to transparency in gender reporting and advancing women's equality in the workplace. [Source 2019][More on Human Rights] GFTN participant This company is a participant in WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN), which seeks to mainstream the principles of responsible forest management and sustainable trade throughout the global forest products industry, by providing technical assistance and fostering linkages between committed companies. Independent forest certification is a key tool in this process. [Source 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] How2Recycle member This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label. [Source 2017][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] Sustainability Consortium member This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives. [Source 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] Sustainable Brands member This company is a Gold 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 2018][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] Sedex member This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics. [Source 2018][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] 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 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] 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 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] Make Fashion Circular participant This company is a participant of Make Fashion Circular, a multi-stakeholder platform run by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which drives collaboration between industry leaders and other key stakeholders to create a textiles economy fit for the 21st century. Its ambition is to ensure clothes are made from safe and renewable materials, new business models increase their use, and old clothes are turned into new. This new textiles economy would benefit business, society, and the environment. [Source 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] Use of plastic microbeads This company uses microbeads in some of its personal care products, but have indicated it will replace them in a given timeframe or adapt the products accordingly. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microplastics aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment. [Source 2014][More on Oceans] Palm oil scorecard - Greenpeace In 2016 Greenpeace published a report on the progress towards zero deforestation in the palm oil supply chains of several multinational companies. Companies were assessed on three criteria: responsible sourcing, transparency and industry reform. This company was rated as 'getting there'. [Source 2016][More on Palm Oil] 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 ranked as 'getting there'. Microbeads are not retained by wastewater treatment and end up in the ocean where they are a threat to the marine environment. [Source 2016][More on Oceans] 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 2014][More on Human Rights] 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 2014]

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Procter & Gamble selling beauty brands to Coty
8th Oct 2015 — Procter & Gamble is selling much of its struggling beauty business, including the Clairol and Covergirl brands, to Coty as part of its latest streamlining effort.

Procter & Gamble is selling a big chunk of its struggling beauty business to Coty for $12.5 billion in a complex transaction that will allow the world`s largest consumer products maker to focus more on its best-selling brands like Tide and Gillette, while dramatically expanding Coty`s portfolio in non-fragrance products.

The sale is the single-largest divestiture ever by P&G, which last year said it would sell off about 100 brands to focus on 70 to 80 brands, products that were responsible for about 90% of the company`s recent sales and 95% of its profit. In November, P&G announced it was selling its Duracell battery brand to Warren Buffett`s Berkshire Hathaway, a few months after it sold its Iams pet foods to Mars. There have also been other smaller transactions.

See more about the companies behind your cosmetics at Shop Ethical! beauty products comparison page.

Proctor and Gamble palm oil protest
5th Mar 2014 — 'Nine protesters arrested after hanging multi-story banners from P&G towers in Cincinnati' (USA, 5/3/14). Proctor and Gamble is one of the world's largest consumers of palm oil. Greenpeace's year-long investigation shows P&G is sourcing palm oil from companies connected to widespread forest devastation.   [source]

Procter & Gamble buys Gillette for US$57 billion
1st Jan 2005 — Deal creates world's largest consumer-products company