Response to Cash Investigation

L’OCCITANE teams are deeply shocked by the footage broadcast by France 2 about the palm oil sector. We strongly condemn child labour, and we call on all parties involved to redouble their efforts to ensure it is brought to an end.
We were in no way aware of the allegations that have been reported. They are extremely serious, and we are deeply shocked by them.

Child labour cannot be tolerated, and the footage that has been broadcast is unacceptable. These practices, carried out by some producers in the palm oil supply chain, are intolerable and must end immediately. We condemn them in the strongest possible terms. 

As soon as we became aware of the journalists’ allegations, we immediately took action and contacted the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and certifies sustainable palm oil production) and questioned our suppliers about their practices. None of them had received any reports relating to these alerts to date.

As a next step, we will launch an urgent investigation to shed light on this situation and put an end to practices that breach human rights. We are committed to doing everything we can to end these practices on the plantations highlighted in the report.

Our solidarity soaps
Contrary to what the report might suggest, there is no link between the solidarity soaps and the mills and plantations featured in the report.
The formula we use for our solidarity soaps has not contained palm oil since 2019. What’s more, 100% of the palm oil used in earlier versions of the solidarity soaps came from mills certified by the RSPO, which guarantees that human rights are respected and prohibits the use of child labour. The Erasakti Wira Forestama mill featured in the report is not RSPO-certified. We are proud that the sales of our solidarity soaps have helped save over 6 million children from going blind.

Our responsible sourcing
Contrary to what the report might suggest, L’OCCITANE is not supplied directly by Felda Global Ventures or Sime Darby; nor is it supplied directly by the mills and plantations featured in the report.
The palm oil derivatives present in some of our products are 100% certified by the RSPO. This certification guarantees palm oil production that respects both the environment and human rights. 
The practices brought to light in the report are a reminder of how important it is to strengthen collective action in order to improve the transparency and practices of the supply chain as a whole. 
We remain resolutely determined to continue to act in support of responsible and sustainable business.

Find out more information about:
-    The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
-    Our sustainable sourcing of palm oil derivatives
-    Our responsible sourcing and respect for human rights