Sustainability

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Sustainability

Health - For People and the Planet

Merz Lifecare supports people in living a healthy life. Our tetesept, Merz Spezial, and Brooklyn Soap Company products empower consumers to make good choices about their health and well-being. Healthy life, however, requires a healthy planet. That is why sustainability is such an important part of our business strategy.

Environment - Social - Governance

Our Sustainability Agenda

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Part of our sustainability strategy is designed after the 17 UN-Sustainability Development Goals. Our main business and sustainability focus is Goal 3: Good health and well-being. Our sustainability measures also go beyond already established goals.
We have adopted the ESG framework for our sustainability goals. We are convinced that corporations can only move towards sustainability when environmental, social, and governance issues are treated as a whole (ESG).

Within the three E, S, and G categories, we are focused on two topics as depicted below:

Gesundheit im Mittelpunkt
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Focus on Health

Health lies at the heart of our business and sustainability strategy. That’s why our sustainability agenda is dubbed “Empowering Healthy Life and Living – for People and the Planet.” It covers Environment (E), Social (S), and Governance (G), and zeroes in on the actions showcased in each of these areas.

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E

Environment

When it comes to the environment, our mission is clear: we’re committed to nurturing a healthy planet. Ensuring a healthy life for future generations is paramount to us, which is why this goal tops our list of priorities. To make it happen, we’re focusing on setting and reaching goals to shrink our ecological footprint. Our efforts are deeply rooted in climate protection initiatives and safeguarding crucial natural resources such as water.

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S

Social

In the social realm, our focus is on people’s health. This involves developing and promoting products that enhance health and well-being. Our efforts are twofold: firstly, creating a healthy, attractive, and inclusive work environment for our employees; secondly, engaging with society by supporting non-profit initiatives.

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G

Governance

To manage our company sustainably, we advocate for healthy and responsible growth. We maintain open communication with our internal and external stakeholders, prioritizing transparency and ethical responsibility. Our strategic focus areas include corporate ethics and transparency.

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Our Goals

Sustainable and measurable


We want our sustainability efforts to be transparent and measurable. That’s why we have set concrete goals - first for 2025, then for 2030 - in accordance with the UN-Agenda 2030.

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E: Environment – Climate Action

Climate Action

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Until 2025

Scope 3: Implementation of contract manufacturer
audits and creation of logistics database to set
reduction goals

Until 2035

Scope 1 and 2: 90% reduction

Until 2031*

Scope 1 and 2: 50% reduction

* Due to the 2031 10-year reduction goal as per SBTi.
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E: Environment – Natural resources

Packaging

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Until 2025

Reduce: Save approx. 12 tons of paper through
grammage reduction

Recycle: 50% recyclable product packaging
(plastic and composite)

Replace: 50% recyclable materials in plastic
packaging

Until 2030

Reduce: Analyze current and identify subsequent
reduction potential in supply chain (shipping cartons) and implement packaging-minimization in line with Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR).

Recycle: 70% recyclable product packaging

Replace: 30% recycled material in plastic packaging

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E: Environment – Natural resources

Water

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Until 2025

80% of cosmetics easily biodegradable

Until 2030

Implementing water reduction strategy based on
production usage analysis

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S: Social – Employees

Employee Well-Being

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Until 2025

Health: 50% of employees take part in at least one of the “Care for You” offers

Until 2030

Health: 80% of employees take part in at least one of the “Care for You” offers

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S: Social – Employees

Diversity and Inclusion

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More awareness of diversity and inclusion within the
organization. Implementation of interventions and
trainings based on developed strategies

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S: Social – Employees

Employee Support and Development

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Until 2025

“Sustainable Learning Culture” program rollout

Until 2030

80% of employees take part in the “Sustainable
Learning Culture” program

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S: Social – Employees

Work Accident Rate

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No work accidents

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S: Social – Company

Social Engagement

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Until 2025

50% of employees take part in the Corporate
Volunteering Program

The Pollinator Education and Experience Trail
is 70% implemented

Until 2030

80% of employees take part in the Corporate
Volunteering Program

The Pollinator Education and Experience Trail
is 100% implemented

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G: Governance – Corporate ethics

Fulfilling Sustainability Criteria for Sourcing

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Until 2024

Sustainability audits of the eight largest contract
manufacturers (seven in Germany; one in Austria)

Until 2030

Selection and auditing of contract manufacturers
according to these guidelines

Until 2024

Inclusion of new purchasing criteria guidelines for
sustainable sourcing – in addition to the Merz Code
of Conduct for third parties

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G: Governance – Corporate ethics

Sustainable Palm Oil

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Until 2025

Development of transition strategy to MB-quality
palm oil for medicinal and pharmaceutical products

Supporting due diligence in supply chain and
continuous safeguarding of MB-palm oil for all
cosmetics and supplements

Until 2030

All relevant products transition to MB-quality
palm oil

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G: Governance – Corporate ethics

Protecting Merz’s Integrity

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Compliance with Merz’s Code of Conduct and
periodic compulsory training

Ensuring adherence to new laws

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G: Governance – Transparency

ESG-Trainings

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Until 2024

100% of employees receive ESG-training

Continued training of all new employees

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G: Governance – Transparency

Annual Report

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Publication of an annual sustainability report in
adherence with commonly accepted frameworks,
plus preparation for CSRD reporting standard

From 2024

Filing report about due diligence compliance
at the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and
Export Control

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This is how we ensure sustainability

Our sustainability agenda is an integral part of our Merz Lifecare business strategy. Our sustainability governance is designed to ensure its implementation and encompasses all areas of our business. Its values, culture, figures, processes, and rules serve as a supplement to running our business. Our Merz Lifecare executive team is responsible for our sustainability strategy and implementation, while its development, advancement, and execution are anchored in Research & Development (R&D), with the Chief Scientific and Sustainability Officer at its helm.

Sustainability Team


The powerful green heart of Merz Lifecare is our Sustainability Team


Supervised by the Head of Sustainability, there’s a multi-facetted team with various job descriptions and comprised of many different departments, including business development, contract manufacturing, corporate communications, human resources, marketing, packaging, and sales, as well as members of our subsidiaries in Austria and the Brooklyn Soap GmbH. Our team sets sustainability priorities by implementing concrete projects, monitoring goals, and keeping our company informed about our progress and news in a regular newsletter.

#Healthylifeandliving

You’d like to tackle sustainability?


Then apply to Merz Lifecare and become part of the team! Button: Current job openings

Current Highlights

This is what we’ve achieved in the current fiscal year


With passion and commitment, step-by-step, we’re forging ahead on our sustainability journey. This past fiscal year, we’ve come closer to achieving our goals in many areas. We’d like to highlight the following. For more information about our highlights, please refer to the sustainability report.

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E: Environment

CO2 Footprint Assessment:
For 114 Product Categories (Cradleto-Customer and End-of-Life)

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E: Environment

Green Energy in our Offices: Transition to Sustainable Energy Sources at Merz Lifecare Germany Headquarters

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E: Environment

Recyclable Packaging: Changing our Tube Lids to PE-Materials

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S: Social

Health: Launch of the “Care for You” Employee Program

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S: Social

Learning Culture: Leadership Trainings for Managers

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S: Social

Corporate Citizenship: Start of the Corporate Volunteering Program

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G: Governance

ESG Training for All Merz Lifecare Employees: 75% Are Already Trained

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G: Governance

First Results of Contract Manufacturer Sustainability Audits

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G: Governance

External Involvement: Participation in Two Committees

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@Merz Lifecare