Davines has announced today to have obtained the B Corporation certification, becoming part of the global network of companies that have redefined their business to make it a source of positive impact for the people and the planet.
The company, founded in 1983 by the Bollati family, is today an international business dedicated to the professional haircare industry with the Davines brand, and to the skincare industry with the Comfort Zone brand. In addition to the headquarters in Parma, it has branches in London, Paris, New York, Mexico City, Hong Kong and Deventer (Holland) and its distribution reaches more than 90 countries.
Both brands are specialised in the creation of high quality products manufactured with an artisan spirit and developed scientifically through cutting-edge cosmetic technologies, and where sustainability and care for people are key values for their business.
Since the year 2000 the Italian company has been aiming to combine the success of its business with a positive impact not only on the environment, but also on the community of stakeholders with whom it has relations made up of employees, suppliers and customers. This vocation for sustainability is rooted in the company’s history, it has shaped its identity and its daily activity through a systemic approach. Over the years, this vision has been implemented through projects that guide the Group in the creation of products and services.
Since 2015 the Company’s Sustainability Report is an annual report that describes all the sustainable activities carried out, the results achieved during the year and the goals set by the Company for the following year. The willingness of the Davines Group to become a B Corp is consistent with the company’s effort to pursue with method, objectiveness and consistency a business model focused on a “prosperous longevity” where the values expressed by it gradually come to life.
“We were relieved to find out that there is a movement of companies that draws inspiration from the same principles we believe in. This makes us optimistic on the possibility that business becomes a tool beneficial for the wellbeing of the society and not the other way round,” says Paolo Braguzzi, CEO of the Davines S.p.A. Group.
With this certification the Davines Group joins the group of so-called B Corps, whose purpose, in addition to profit, is maximizing their positive impact by providing innovative solutions to environmental and social issues whilst respecting the highest standards of performance, transparency and accountability. The Italian companies that are interested in joining the B Corp movement are assessed by the B Lab certifying body that is in charge of measuring the company’s degree of social and environmental performance in five areas: governance, people, community, environment and customers.
Reaching the score requested for certification, ranging from 80 to a maximum of 200, normally requires deep structural changes, even for companies like the Davines Group that have already been investing in sustainable development for years. With a score of 99, the entire Group, including its branches, ends 2016 with the achievement of this certification thanks to the positive results in the following areas:
- • Sustainable life cycle assessment (SLCA) based on their environmental and social impact.
- • Reduction of materials regarding the primary, secondary and tertiary packaging with a progressive decrease of its environmental impact and a more responsible product design,
- • Reduction of waste with a resulting increase of the share of recycled materials,
- • Involvement of all suppliers in the certification process and great attention to the wellbeing of company staff.
This goal is for Davines and Comfort Zone a starting point for a long and steep journey where a lot has already been done, yet the second part of the journey still has to be covered. The certification arrives at the time of another important confirmation for the Group, i.e. a turnover in excess of 100 million euro, which is further evidence of the growth trend that has characterised the company for more than twenty years.