Anne Himeno
Senior Business Developer at ChainPoint, Arnhem, The Netherlands

Abstract

The entire cosmetics supply chain, from the initial sourcing of raw materials through to consumer use and disposal, has an impact on sustainability. Today, the cosmetics industry is facing a number of key challenges, ranging from consumer health and ethical sourcing, to operational efficiency, risk management, and fraud and brand protection. All challenges share one common point: collecting data and turning this data into actionable information in order to gain full supply chain insight.

In this article, I discuss how smart information technology can connect all supply chain stakeholders in one platform, which creates supply chain transparency and visibility, helping to improve operational efficiency whilst reducing costs.

INTRODUCTION

Cosmetics and personal care products play an important role in modern day society. However, makers of these products are under growing pressure. Less raw material availability, unsustainable production, dependence on oil, rising costs, increasing health concerns, social and ethical issues, risk management and brand protection due to increased consumer and investor scrutiny are just some of the issues the cosmetics and personal care industries are facing. From the initial sourcing of raw materials through to consumer use and disposal, the cosmetics supply chain has an impact across multiple stakeholders.

In this article, I discuss the key challenges for the cosmetics industry and the way smart information technology can help reduce or eliminate risks.

KEY CHALLENGES IN THE COSMETICS INDUSTRY

From the shea nuts which are harvested in Africa to the use of palm oil sourced from Indonesia, or mica from India, cosmetics ingredients have a high impact when sourced unsustainably. In addition, the presence of harmful or restricted substances in synthetic ingredients is increasingly unde ...