Advancing responsible sourcing across supply chains
Givaudan’s responsible sourcing initiatives strengthen social, environmental, and ethical practices across global supply chains.
We are committed to respecting human rights wherever we operate and to making a positive impact in the communities where we are present. We also recognise our responsibility to preserve the environment and protect biodiversity for future generations.
Our approach to responsible sourcing is rooted in collaboration and shared learning with suppliers, customers, and partners. We expect all partners to uphold clean and safe working conditions, good agricultural and collection practices, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. In 2025, we made progress across several key sourcing regions and materials, strengthening social, environmental, and ethical performance in our global supply chains.
Ensuring safe and ethical sticklac collection in India
Sticklac, a natural resin used in our ingredient Ambrettolide, is collected manually by tribal communities in remote parts of India. This low-impact activity provides a vital seasonal livelihood for rural households.
In 2025, our key supplier completed the first UEBT assessment in the sticklac supply chain, achieving the ‘responsibly sourced’ level thanks to strong biodiversity and community engagement practices. Together, we are now addressing identified gaps, including co-organising safety training for collectors and field teams.
Strengthening the maca supply chain in Peru
Collaboration with supplier partners is crucial to understanding harvest conditions in remote regions. In Peru’s highlands, we worked with a supplier that initially produced only maca extracts and powders to develop new maca ‘chips’ that meet Givaudan’s quality and sustainability standards.
Through this partnership, the supplier adopted the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) principles, achieved UEBT verification in 2025, and became the first maca supplier to obtain B Corp certification. These achievements lay the groundwork for continuous improvement and long-term benefits for local communities.
Promoting sustainable turpentine sourcing
Pine-based turpentine is obtained either from kraft pulping of softwood – a by-product of the forest industry – or from resin tapped from live pine trees. We aim to increase the share of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) coverage among our suppliers.
Most kraft-based turpentine (CST) originates from certified forests in North America and Scandinavia, while gum turpentine (GT) is primarily sourced from China, Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Despite complex global supply chains, we continue to engage suppliers annually to track certification levels and improve transparency.
In 2025, for some of our suppliers up to 100% of CST and 80% of GT total volumes were certified.
Advancing human rights in the arils supply chain
Through our subsidiary ITRAD in Côte d’Ivoire, we maintain a fully integrated arils supply chain, ensuring close oversight of sourcing practices.
In 2024, we conducted a baseline assessment with ITRAD and FairWild to guide responsible sourcing, identifying priorities such as sustainable harvesting, improved traceability, and strengthened expectations on child labour and health and safety.
In 2025, over 70 community members participated in human rights training, bringing the total number trained since 2021 to more than 850.
Building a sustainable castor oil supply chain in India
Castor oil, a key natural feedstock for our ingredients, is mainly produced by smallholder farmers in India. Our main supplier of castor derived products participates in the Castor SUCCESS® initiative, which promotes better farmer livelihoods, fair labour practices, and sustainable production. The Pragati project, part of this initiative, has already trained over 10,000 farmers to improve yields, reduce environmental impact, and enhance working conditions.
We also work with processing partners to expand third party audits under Sedex and Together for Sustainability (TfS) schemes, using results to drive continuous improvement. A human rights risk assessment in the Indian castor supply chain is planned with our key supplier to further strengthen responsible sourcing and identify further actions.
Supporting responsible rose sourcing in Bulgaria
Givaudan sources rose essential oil from Rosa damascena in Turkey and Bulgaria, where the centuries-old ‘Rose Valley’ produces nearly half of the world’s rose oil. The harvest, conducted by hand in the early mornings, involves many women from local Roma communities. Our due diligence identified risks related to seasonal work, child labour, and youth participation in the fields.
Since 2022, our Responsible Sourcing, Human Rights, and Procurement teams have conducted annual visits during the harvest to support partners in strengthening social and environmental practices. All suppliers have completed or scheduled third party audits through SEDEX, Fair for Life, or UEBT. We are further contributing to a pre-competitive framework, the Responsible Sourcing Initiative, jointly developed by IFRA and UEBT, to drive industry-wide improvements in responsible floral sourcing.
Commitment to continuous improvement
Managing global supply chains across diverse raw materials is inherently complex, but our commitment to transparency, human rights, and environmental stewardship remains constant. Through collaboration, third party audits , and continuous engagement, we strive to ensure that every ingredient we source contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world.