The Body Shop
Body Shop is one of the largest companies in the herbal cosmetics market. Consequently, it is one of the largest users of the bioresources and traditional knowledge systems of the world. In order to understand the company's policy in acquiring its raw materials, Down To Earth tried, more than once, to directly contact their corporate headquarters in London, UK.
There was no response. Contacting experts outside the company for the information yielded nothing. Graham Dutfield of the Oxford Centre for Environment and Ethics, who has conducted extensive research on benefit sharing with local communities, had no information about Body Shop's policy of acquiring raw materials and traditional knowledge of their use. Jeffrey McNeely of the World Conservation Union also did not have any data about the company's activities.
Body Shop's website has no information to offer on the subject. In contrast, Shaman Pharmaceuticals of the US replied to our queries promptly. Moreover, the above-mentioned experts were all aware of Shaman's links with indigenous communities across the world. There is little else but to conclude that Body Shop does not believe in sharing information about its operations regarding raw materials and how it deals with indigenous peoples.
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