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  • Overall approach
    6/10
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      3/4
      Overall commitment
      Zero deforestation/Deforestation-free commitment or, for timber, pulp & paper companies only, commitment to well implemented harvest and no deforestation of HCV & HCS areas
      3/4
      "The following five categories are stipulated as unacceptable sources for the origin of fresh wood-based fibers used in Essity’s supply chain [...] 1. Illegally harvested wood. [...] Wood from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities. 4. Wood from forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use"
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      1/1
      Signatory
      Yes
      1/1
      Which initiatives?: New York Declaration on Forests; World Business Council for Sustainable Development Forest Solutions Group; UN Global Compact
      Essity is a signatory of New York Declaration on Forests, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and is a signatory of UN Global Compact
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      "Fighting deforestation and forest degradation Ensuring the health of the world’s forests will play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally. To ensure that all wood- based fresh fiber used in an Essity product or packaging comes from responsible forestry, we only source certified fiber in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of For- est Certification (PEFC)."
    • Deforestation as a business risk
      1/1
      Business risk
      Yes
      1/1
      What proportion of revenue that comes from relevant industries is exposed to each forest risk commodity?: Not specified
      "■ Deforestation leads to a shortage of fresh wood-based fiber, thereby resulting in a raw materials shortage."
    • High-level management of deforestion
      0/1
    • Executive compensation linked to deforestation
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
    • Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
      Reduce emissions
      Yes
      0/0
      Type of climate target: Net-zero emissions

      Is this target aligned with/verified by SBTi?: Yes

      What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2050
      "Essitys' overarching climate targets* in line with the SBTi Scope 1 and 2: Near-termtarget 2030: Scope 1, 2: -35%. Scope 3: -18%. Long-term commitment 2050: Scope 1, 2 and 3: net zero"
  • Commodity score
    26/90
    • Pulp & Paper
      33/90
      • Commitment Strength
        8/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          8/9.5
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross deforestation
            4/6
            Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
            Zero-gross deforestation
            4/6
            Which certification schemes are used?: FSC; PEFC

            When was this commitment set?: 2018

            What paper/pulp product does their commitment apply to?: Pulp
            "The following five categories are stipulated as unacceptable sources for the origin of fresh wood based fibers used in Essity’s supply chain [...] 1. Illegally harvested wood. [...] Wood from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities. 4. Wood from forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use" [...] "All the wood fiber we source and use must come from suppliers that are certified according to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™)"
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "The following five categories are stipulated as unacceptable sources for the origin of fresh wood based fibers used in Essity’s supply chain [...] 1. Illegally harvested wood. [...] Wood from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities. 4. Wood from forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use" [...] "All the wood fiber we source and use must come from suppliers that are certified according to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™)"
          • Target date
            Current/achieved
            1/1
            Target date
            Current/achieved
            1/1
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: All fresh fiber must be FSC or PEFC certified
            "The following five categories are stipulated as unacceptable sources for the origin of fresh wood based fibers used in Essity’s supply chain [...] 1. Illegally harvested wood. [...] Wood from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities. 4. Wood from forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use" [...] "All the wood fiber we source and use must come from suppliers that are certified according to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™)"
          • Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            What date is given for the interim milestone?: NA
            "The following five categories are stipulated as unacceptable sources for the origin of fresh wood based fibers used in Essity’s supply chain [...] 1. Illegally harvested wood. [...] Wood from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities. 4. Wood from forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use" [...] "All the wood fiber we source and use must come from suppliers that are certified according to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) or Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC™)"
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        4/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 2

          Other workers' rights commitments: Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces; Free from abusive practices/undue disciplinary procedures

          Details of commitment: ILO; UNGP; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
          "Essity is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which consists of 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labor standards, the environment and anti-corruption. The Essity requirements are mainly based on internationally agreed standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ILO Core Conventions, but also on national legislation [...] Essity expects its suppliers will treat their employees and all persons acting on their behalf with the highest ethical standards. Supplier must adhere to international and national conventions and laws in the area of fundamental rights, including, but not limited to, non-discrimination, freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, protection of children and mothers and the right to form works’ councils. Furthermore, Essity suppliers are not allowed to use or threaten to use corporal punishment or other forms of abuse.If required by local law, all employees of an Essity supplier must have an employment contract. Suppliers’ working hours shall comply with national laws and local industry standards, and wages and other benefits provided by supplier must be fair and at least equal to the minimum relevant legal and industry standards. [...] Suppliers shall take measures to ensure they do not engage in or support the use of forced or bonded labor."
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/2
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          0.5/2
          "Essity suppliers are expected to adopt and enforce policies which effectively prohibit discrimination or harassment on the grounds of gender, marital or parental status, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, religious belief, political affiliation, age, disability, or of membership in a trade union or employee organization."
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        22/56
        • Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
          0/0
        • Reporting is independently verified
          No
          0/2
          Reporting is independently verified
          No
          0/2
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          What initiatives does the company participate in?: Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Forest Positive Coalition of Action

          What is the nature of that participation?: Attending & contributing to meetings
          "Cooperation against forest destruction and deforestation Within the framework of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), Essity collaborates with global leading consumer product companies in the Forest Positive Coalition of Action initiative to combat global forest degradation and deforestation and to preserve biodiversity. In 2021, Essity was involved in a project to strengthen sustainable forestry and the care of forests of high conservation value in northwestern Russia, Europe's largest contiguous forest area with great natural values. The aim is to increase the adoption of sustainable forestry practices, as well as to engage local communities and other local stakeholders in a landscape planning process. In 2021, Essity had a leading role in CGF's Forest Positive Coalition where we worked together with other global companies to strengthen forest management and prevent deforestation."
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          Risk assessments for forest risk
          Yes
          2/2
          How frequently are assessments conducted?: not specified

          For what percentage of material produced or sourced by the company has forest risk been assessed?: 0 not specified
          "Essity uses several tools to move its suppliers in the direction of responsible forest management. Together, these tools provide Essity with the necessary information to perform risk assessments of its supply chain and evaluate its suppliers from a sustainability perspective, and to move them toward compliance with Essity’s policies and stakeholder expectations. [...] audits also include a review of [...] the use of National Risk Assessments"
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "GLOBAL SUPPLIER STANDARD COMPLIANCE: Suppliers are requested to comply with Essity’s Global Supplier Standard, that includes our Supplier Code of Conduct that statesEssity’s expectations on suppliers in the following areas: • compliance with laws [...] operations are audited to ensure compliance with Essity’s Gobal Supplier Standard on a regular basis"
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Which issues does the grievance mechanism cover?: Social; Environmental
          "External stakeholdersExternal stakeholders in EU Member States and the UK can report serious violations or breaches of laws or the Code of Conduct via the Speak up line. Information about how Essity collects and processes personal data received in the Speak up Line is available in our Privacy Notice for Essity’s Whistleblowing system. Please note that the Speak Up Line is not intended for issues related to products or services!Report a violations or breach here "
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting total volume
          3/3
          Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting total volume
          3/3
          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume: 2%

          Total volume: 3.2 million tons

          Reporting certified/compliant volume: 98%

          What product types/sectors is this in?: paper-based products including personal care, and hygiene products

          What is the non-DCF commodity volume sourced from known production areas, and proportion of total supply chain volume this represents?: NA
          "In 2021, Essity purchased 3.2 million tons of wood-based fresh fiber and 1.8 million tons of recycled fiber. [...] Fiber sourcing wood-based fresh fiber by certification 98%"
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          3/5
          Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          2.5/5
          What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA

          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA

          What steps has the company taken to implement their labour rights commitment?: sedex and audits
          " Our Supplier Code of Conduct and our Business Partner Code of Conduct includes our expectations regarding human rights and employee relations as well as health and safety. Compliance with such standards is a prime factor when selecting our business partners [...] Essity continuously perform risk assessment of our suppliers, including an evaluation from a human rights perspective. Essity also request our suppliers to share their human rights status via Sedex, as we do for our own production sites. Essity’s sourcing personnel related to strategic purchasing are also trained to assess and identify human rights risks in their activities and interactions with suppliers.All suppliers [...] may be subject to a social audit followed by a corrective action plan."
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          2/4
          For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: 0 Not specified

          What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: 0 Not specified

          How frequently is compliance assessed?: not specified

          For what percentage of the commodity sourced by the company is deforestation/conversion monitored at the farm level on production units known to be in the company's supply chain?: 0 Not specified

          How is compliance monitored?: Internal monitoring and verification systems

          For what percentage of suppliers does the company use/rely on external mechanisms to monitor compliance?: 0 Not specified
          "The above questionnaires and third-party reports are supported and followed up byon-site supplier audits of the fiber procurement management system, and responsesto the relevant sections of the questionnaires are checked for accuracy. [...] The audits also include a review of supplier compliance with the FSC Controlled Wood standard, the use of National Risk Assessments and control measures for non-FSC certified supplies of wood, and how suppliers ensure traceability of fibers when sourcing from saw mills. [...] Satellite technology is being used to support the Essity pulp supplier assessmentsystem and help alert Essity to unexpected events that may occur within the woodsupply catchment areas. [...] allowing Essity to be alerted to unexpected events that occur within the supply catchment areas."
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          1/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          1/2
          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No

          What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: Non compliance after a risk assessment against the fiber sourcing policy

          Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No

          What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: worktogether with non-compliant suppliers to identify solutions to, for example, certification issues, supply restrictions or other bottlenecks.

          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
          "Essity reserves the right to terminate business relations if so recommended by the findings of an Essity risk assessment [...] When Essity considers it necessary or when initiated by the supplier, Essity will worktogether with non-compliant suppliers to identify solutions to, for example, certification issues, supply restrictions or other bottlenecks."
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          Yes, excluded
          1/2
          Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          Yes, excluded
          1/2
          Does the company have a list of blacklisted or otherwise excluded suppliers or producers?: No

          How many noncompliant producers or suppliers are engaged through improvement plans or other processes, and what percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: 49, not specified
          "During 2021, Essity evaluated the outcome from 49 ethical supplier audits, carried out in China, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia and Estonia. Of these audits, 14 were carried out by Essity using an independent audit firm. The other 35 ethical audits, which meet Essity’s requirements, were carried out by other customers to suppliers and were approved by Essity. Essity is informed within 24 hours in cases of critical observations. No agreements with strategic suppliers were terminated on the grounds of sustainability-related non-compliance in 2021."
    • Palm oil *
      12/90
      • Commitment Strength
        2/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          2/9.5
          • Commitment details
            Credible certification scheme
            2/6
            Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
            Credible certification scheme
            2/6
            When was this commitment set?: 2019

            Which certification schemes are used?: RSPO
            "5.9 Renewable ingredientsCosmetics products or chemicals can contain renewable ingredients such as palm oil or similar. Suppliers of cosmetics or chemicals will be requested to show documentation that their supply chain is certified according to a recognized system such as RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil)"
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            If no, what is excluded?: Other

            If Other, specify: Only some suppliers will be requested to be RSPO.
            "5.9 Renewable ingredientsCosmetics products or chemicals can contain renewable ingredients such as palm oil or similar. Suppliers of cosmetics or chemicals will be requested to show documentation that their supply chain is certified according to a recognized system such as RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil)"
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        4/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Other workers' rights commitments: Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces; Free from abusive practices/undue disciplinary procedures

          Details of commitment: ILO; UNGP; UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association

          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 2
          "Essity is a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which consists of 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labor standards, the environment and anti-corruption. The Essity requirements are mainly based on internationally agreed standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ILO Core Conventions, but also on national legislation [...] Essity expects its suppliers will treat their employees and all persons acting on their behalf with the highest ethical standards. Supplier must adhere to international and national conventions and laws in the area of fundamental rights, including, but not limited to, non-discrimination, freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, protection of children and mothers and the right to form works’ councils. Furthermore, Essity suppliers are not allowed to use or threaten to use corporal punishment or other forms of abuse.If required by local law, all employees of an Essity supplier must have an employment contract. Suppliers’ working hours shall comply with national laws and local industry standards, and wages and other benefits provided by supplier must be fair and at least equal to the minimum relevant legal and industry standards. [...] Suppliers shall take measures to ensure they do not engage in or support the use of forced or bonded labor."
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/2
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          0.5/2
          "Essity suppliers are expected to adopt and enforce policies which effectively prohibit discrimination or harassment on the grounds of gender, marital or parental status, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, religious belief, political affiliation, age, disability, or of membership in a trade union or employee organization."
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        7/56
        • Reporting is independently verified
          No
          0/2
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "GLOBAL SUPPLIER STANDARD COMPLIANCE: Suppliers are requested to comply with Essity’s Global Supplier Standard, that includes our Supplier Code of Conduct that statesEssity’s expectations on suppliers in the following areas: • compliance with laws [...] operations are audited to ensure compliance with Essity’s Gobal Supplier Standard on a regular basis"
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Which issues does the grievance mechanism cover?: Social; Environmental

          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company?: Own mechanism
          "External stakeholdersExternal stakeholders in EU Member States and the UK can report serious violations or breaches of laws or the Code of Conduct via the Speak up line. Information about how Essity collects and processes personal data received in the Speak up Line is available in our Privacy Notice for Essity’s Whistleblowing system. Please note that the Speak Up Line is not intended for issues related to products or services!Report a violations or breach here "
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          No reporting
          0/3
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          3/5
          Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          Yes, and publishes evidence of actions taken to implement its commitment on labour rights in the production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages or otherwise controls or its supply chains
          2.5/5
          What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA

          What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA

          What steps has the company taken to implement their labour rights commitment?: sedex and audits
          " Our Supplier Code of Conduct and our Business Partner Code of Conduct includes our expectations regarding human rights and employee relations as well as health and safety. Compliance with such standards is a prime factor when selecting our business partners [...] Essity continuously perform risk assessment of our suppliers, including an evaluation from a human rights perspective. Essity also request our suppliers to share their human rights status via Sedex, as we do for our own production sites. Essity’s sourcing personnel related to strategic purchasing are also trained to assess and identify human rights risks in their activities and interactions with suppliers.All suppliers [...] may be subject to a social audit followed by a corrective action plan."
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
  • * commodity scores for which a company is not a powerbroker are given half the weighting of other commodities in total scores

  • Commitment strength
    6/17
    Avg. score
  • Implementation and Reporting
    17/56
    Avg. score
  • Associated Human Rights Abuses
    4/17
    Avg. score

Profile

Essity is a Swedish company which manufacturers paper-based products including personal care, and hygiene products. Essity is selected as a powerbroker for pulp & paper.

Sector
Industry sector 
Household Products, Paper Packaging
Segments
Manufacturer
HQ
HQ 
Sweden
Company Type
Company type 
CO
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

Tork, Libero, Familia, Vinda, Drypers, Peuenin, Colhogar, Cost, Cushelle, Edet, Favorita, Lotus, Okay, Regio, Tempo, Velvet, Zewa, Bodyform, Libresse, Nana, Nosotras, Nuvenia, Saba, Tena, Leukoplast, Jobst, Delta-Cast, Cutimed, Actimove, Lotus Baby

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.