According to the Ethisphere Institute, L’Oréal, Kao Corporation and Natura are among some of the world’s most ethical companies of 2019.
The trio were named as part of think tank Ethisphere’s annual World’s Most Ethical Companies list, which celebrated 128 companies across 50 industries and 21 countries.
It is the tenth year that French personal care company, L’Oréal has been named, with CEO, Jean-Paul Agon, saying the recognition confirms that a company can be both ethical and successful.
“Ethics is one of the Group's transformation drivers, of which all of our employees around the world are particularly proud,” he said.
Japanese firm, Kao, which owns cosmetic brands such as John Frieda, Bioré, Molton Brown, KMS, JERGENS and Goldwell, has made the list 13 years in a row.
“Our culture of integrity has remained the same since Kao began business 130 years ago,” Kao president and CEO, Michitaka Sawada, said. “We live in times where great volatility and change are the norm, and so the demand for leadership in compliance and ethical business is greater than ever before. Integrity will continue to be the cornerstone of our company's existence."
To make the list, companies must meet strict criteria across five categories, including the quality of their ethics and compliance program, corporate citizenship and responsibility, organisational culture, governance, and leadership and reputation.
“Today employees, consumers and stakeholders value companies that show both a commitment to business integrity, and also have the organisational humility to never stop seeking improvement,” Ethisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich, said. “The World’s Most Ethical Companies honourees understand that this approach has a profound impact on communities and is the foundation for broader success and profitability.”
