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Beiersdorf Australia

OVERALL

Owned
GER
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Body care and medical products

Company Ownership

Beiersdorf Australia Ltd   AUS     website   email      
  Beiersdorf AG   
   owns 100% of Beiersdorf Australia Ltd  
GER     website   email      

Body care and medical products

Established in 1882 by pharmacist Paul C. Beiersdorf. Its flagship product, NIVEA, is one of the biggest beauty brands in the world. 50.45% owned by coffee firm maxingvest AG.

      maxingvest ag   
       owns 50% of Beiersdorf AG  
GER     website   email      

Coffee company

maxingvest ag (formerly TCHIBO Holding) used to hold a controlling interest in cigarette manufacturer Reemtsma but sold it to UK-based Imperial Tobacco. Now they sell coffee and run coffee shops. They also owns 50.46% of Beiesdorf AG, makers of Nivea skin care products.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Beiersdorf Australia Ltd
Environment Australian Packaging Covenant signatory
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020)
Social Breaching advertising codes
In 2014 the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Complaints Resolution Panel upheld a complaint about an ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently withdrawn.
Source: TGA Complaints Resolution Panel (2014)
Beiersdorf AG
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of A
In 2020, 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 (2020)
Environment CDP Forests Score of A-
In 2020, 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 (2020)
Environment 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 ranked joint first. 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)
Social CDP Water Security Score of B
In 2020, 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 B.
Source: CDP (2020)
Environment Supply chain practices in China
This company received a score of 3.8/100 (retrieved 10-Oct-2020) 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: IPE (2020)
Animals 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 (2020)
Business Ethics 24.3% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2016
This company received a score of 24.3/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2016, 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: Newsweek (2016)
Business Ethics 29/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 29/100 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)
Environment Use of plastic microbeads
This company uses microbeads in some of its personal care products. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microbeads aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment.
Source: Beat the Microbead (2018)
Business Ethics Investment in nanotechnology
in 2006, Beiersdorf invested in a newly opened joint-venture nanotechnology R&D centre (Centre for Applied Nanotechnology) as part of its aims to become one of the leading players in this fast-growing industry.
Source: news article (2006)
Business Ethics 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. This company was fined 72m euros.
Source: news article (2014)
Business Ethics Price fixing in Germany
In Mar 2013 German anti-trust authority Bundeskartellamt fined six German personal care and household products manufacturers (including Beiersdorf) and an industry association a total of 39m euros for sharing information about product pricing and retailer negotiations.
Source: news article (2013)
Business Ethics 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)
Business Ethics 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: How2Recycle (2020)
Business Ethics 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: Sedex (2018)
Environment Palm oil scorecard - RFUK
Ethical Consumer has ranked companies' practices and policies in relation to their palm oil sourcing for the Rainforest Foundation/Ethical Consumer palm oil campaign. This company received a 'yellow' rating.
Source: Rainforest Foundation UK (2016)
Environment 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 13 out of a possible total of 22.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 (2019)
Social 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)
maxingvest ag
Environment 39% in Forest 500 Rankings
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, soy, beef, leather, timber and paper). This company received a score of 39%.
Source: Forest 500 (2020)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue $138 million in 2009
Employees 210 in 2017
Aus Manufacturing Yes

Contact Details

Address 4 Khartoum Rd, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
Phone 02 9888 0977
Fax 02 9887 3487
Website www.beiersdorf.com.au

Products / Brands

Beiersdorf Australia
Elastoplast Bandages
Elastoplast Antiseptic
La Prairie Skin Care
Nivea Deodorant
Nivea Skin Care
Nivea Tanning Lotions
Nivea Sunscreen
Nivea Soap
Nivea Lip Care
Nivea Body Wash
Nivea For Men Mens Grooming


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