“We are focusing on green formulations as this remains the major focus for beauty companies when looking at sustainability,” said Amarjit Sahota, Organic Monitor founder.
“Although there is interest in resource and energy useage, CO2, ethical sourcing, sustainable packaging, CSR, etc., the number one focus for cosmetic and ingredient companies is green ingredients/formulations when considering sustainability,” Sahota told CosmeticsDesign.com USA in an exclusive interview.
“Likewise, we are looking at sustainable supply chains for the first time because of the growing importance of sustainable supply chains and ethical trade – and not just ethical sourcing”.
The event will include a comprehensive conference program that comprises three sessions – pioneering sustainability initiatives, sustainable supply chains and marketing and distribution innovations - together with a workshop to discuss technical issues relating to green chemistry and a roundtable to debate the industry challenges.
The CEO Roundtable will include top executives from some of the biggest players in the natural and organic cosmetics market, involving companies such as Burt’s Bees, Aubrey Organics, Weleda and Dr. Hauschka Skincare.
The opening session will focus on pioneering sustainability initiatives from leading industry players, including Weleda, Procter & Gamble, who will share their vision about sustainability and how it has helped to shape their business strategy.
The session will tackle new areas such as cradle-to-cradle design, putting sustainability into an action plan, the potential of biodynamic cosmetics and ingredients in the sustainability equation and the importance of biodiversity and biopiaracy.
The next session will focus on sustainable supply chains, and will include a key note presentation from Brazilian ingredients supplier Beraca, discussing ethical sourcing, as well as Rik Kutsch Lojenga, executive director of the Union for Ethical Biotrade, who will speak about how beauty businesses can generate a positive impact.
The marketing and distribution innovations session will cover topics such as biodynamic cosmetics, sustainable packaging, retailing innovations and opportunities in mass market channels, and will be led by a presentation from a research agency concerned with this field.
The summit program will finish with the green chemicals workshop, which will be headed up by Organic Monitor’s head of technical research, Judi Beerling. The session will explore issues such as replacing synthetic chemicals with natural or green alternatives.
“This is the 4th edition of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, and previous editions have had founders, CEOs, directors and senior managers from cosmetic and ingredient firms We also have delegates from certification agencies, NGOs, retailers and distributors, packaging firms and investors,” said Sahota.
Organic Monitor is currently offering a super-early bird registration rate if delegates sign up by 11th March. For more information, please click here.