L’Oréal has released its first Palm Oil Progress report, which looks at the company’s ongoing progress in achieving its aim of 100 percent responsible sourcing of palm oil and palm oil derivatives.

Looking for total sustainability while using palm oil, the French beauty giant has stated that it uses less than 400 tons of palm oil a year ‘but purchases derivatives in a quantity equivalent to 60,000 tons of palm oil.’

Having been certified by RSPO for 100 per cent of its palm back in 2012, the company is now looking for full transparency for its production to ‘ensure a deforestation-free and responsible palm production.’

According to the report L’Oréal managed to trace back 80 percent of its derivatives up to the level of refineries, and 50 percent up to the mills in 2015.

Alexandra Palt, L’Oréal Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “This encouraging first outcome demonstrates that tracing back derivatives is feasible. By end of 2016, L’Oréal will have achieved 100 per cent traceability, a first step to ensure compliance to Zero Deforestation among the concerned suppliers.”

Alongside its commitment to supporting independent smallholders through a multi-stakeholder partnership, the company also created a Sustainable Palm Index plan. This is stated as being a ‘new evaluation criteria for assessing palm derivatives suppliers based on their commitments and achievements as regarding supply chain knowledge, sustainable sourcing practices and compliance with L’Oréal Zero Deforestation policy.’

Palt continues, “By end 2016 L’Oréal will publish this new Sustainable Palm Index and make it available for all companies, business and partners of the palm sector. The aim is to support the effort of all stakeholders to commit to sustainable palm sourcing and achieve Zero deforestation.”