The Body Shop

Values

About

The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick, a pioneer in ethical business and human rights activist.

Their commitment to ethical sourcing through their own Community Fair Trade programme, formally known as Trade Not Aid, has been operating since 1987.

The Body Shop sources 43 of their ingredients and hand-crafted accessories from the four corners of the globe. They harness the skills of small-scale farmers, traditional artisans and rural – cooperatives who are experts in their field.

“Social and environmental dimensions are woven into the fabric of the company itself. They are neither first nor last among our objectives, but an ongoing part of everything we do.” - Dame Anita Roddick

Through their Community Trade programme, The Body Shop strives to develop long-term trade partnerships and have worked with many of their suppliers for decades. They pay fair prices and offer favourable trade terms, targeted producer support and access to an international trade market. Some suppliers also receive an additional fund to invest in community projects such as education, healthcare and sanitation.

The Body Shop only trades with suppliers that meet their Sustainable Procurement standards to ensure workers remain free from exploitation. They ask all our suppliers to sign a Code of Conduct to ensure they formally commit to upholding areas such as:

• Health and safety

• Safe and hygienic working conditions

• Never using child labour

• Living wages

• Working hours that are not excessive

• No discrimination

• Regular employment is provided

• People are treated with respect

In northern Ghana, the company has worked closely with the Tungteiya Women’s Association since 1994, sourcing Community Fair Trade shea butter that provides financial independence to 640 women across 11 villages. This partnership extends beyond fair trade, also funding community projects that have built seven schools and improved access to healthcare and clean water for around 49,000 people.

In Kathmandu, Nepal, The Body Shop collaborates with Get Paper Industry (GPI), a company that champions gender equality and community outreach. GPI's artisans create sustainable handcrafted paper and gift packaging from waste materials, and the organization runs education initiatives aimed at combating human trafficking.

In India, The Body Shop has partnered with Plastics for Change, buying recycled plastic from marginalized waste pickers and offering them a stable income. This pioneering initiative was recognized with the Ethical Corporation’s 2019 ‘Plastics Innovation Award.’ Across continents, The Body Shop's supplier relationships are not just transactions but collaborations that uplift communities, promote gender equality, and drive sustainable and ethical practices.

While the Community Trade programme is The Body Shop’s bespoke fair trade programme, it is independently checked and verified by ECOCERT (a fair trade assessment agency), which involves regular auditing of suppliers and of their own business operations.

In 1998, The Body Shop helped establish The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), an organization that brings members together to address intricate issues surrounding ethical business practices and worker well-being. Additionally, they are also part of Sedex, a digital platform for responsible sourcing, where suppliers can disclose audit findings and other data related to human rights, with both brands and their customer base.

Since 2019, The Body Shop has been part of the B Corp movement. A few years later, they became a founding member of the B Beauty Coalition, a global group of over 60 B Corps that collaborate to improve social and environmental sustainability by strengthening business standards and practices. The coalition also makes it easier for beauty customers to make ethical choices.

All image rights belong to The Body Shop

Dive Deeper

The Body Shop’s Sustainability Report 2022
The Body Shop’s Modern Slavery Statement