Sectors

African magic mixed with cutting edge green technology

Elizabeth Dlamini, herbalist and skincare adviser to a whole of local women, has skin that glows. She beams as she explains why. “Here in the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland we proud of our plants that we use in our traditional beauty regimes. Our grandmothers taught us how to prepare cosmetics from the oil of the Marula nut”. Now, Ubuntu Natural is bringing Swaziland’s best-kept beauty secret to the international cosmetics market.

Sharing the benefits arising from the use of biodiversity in cosmetics

Relying on the natural ingredients it sources in Brazil for its cosmetic product manufacturing and R&D, Natura has engaged in strong partnerships with local communities, who are not only compensated for the supply of raw ingredients, but also rewarded for their knowledge through benefit sharing.

Responsible sourcing of argan Oil

L’Oréal is a world leading cosmetics company created in 1909 in Paris, France. It employs 67,500 people in 130 countries and operates 42 factories and 63 warehouses around the world. In 2008, the company invested approximately $763 million Canadian in Research and Development. The company’s prestigious brand portfolio of over 25 brands encompasses all aspects of beauty. L’Oréal Canada was founded in 1958 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L’Oréal Group. The company employs 1,200 people and in addition to its headquarters in Montreal, it operates a logistics center, a training center and an industrial facility which manufactures professional hair care products.

Intergovernmental Committee on Folklore, Traditional Knowledge, and Genetic Resources

http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/

The World Intellectual Property Organization provides a forum for international policy debate and development of legal mechanisms and practical tools concerning the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (folklore). This forum addresses the misappropriation and misuse of, and intellectual property aspects related to, the access to and benefit-sharing of genetic resources.

Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT)

http://www.ethicalbiotrade.org/

The UEBT is a non-profit association promoting the "sourcing with respect" of ingredients that come from native biodiversity. Members commit to gradually ensuring that their sourcing practices promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge, and assure the equitable sharing of benefits all along the supply chain. One of the UEBT's strategic priorities is to target key economic sectors such as the cosmetics, health, and beauty industries, and to a lesser extent the food industry.

PhytoTrade Africa

http://www.phytotradeafrica.com/

PhytoTrade Africa is a regional trade association representing the natural products industry and supporting the research and development of new products in Southern Africa. They provide principles of fair trade and sustainability, as well as a charter that includes commitments to biodiversity conservation.