BIC - 2018 Registration document

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility concerning our products [NFPS]

Tools to facilitate the eco-design 3.2.1.4. process Measuring products’ environmental performance Eco-measurement has shown that the product’s weight/performance life ratio is a pertinent indicator for environmental performance. In fact, the more lightweight a product is and the longer it lasts, the better its environmental performance. This illustrates the necessity for finding solutions that are adapted to saving resources.

To deploy an effective policy for limiting the environmental impact of BIC ® products, the first step is to measure these impacts across entire life cycles. BIC has been a pioneer in this field since 1994, commissioning life cycle studies of its products by outside consulting experts, which confirm that the environmental impact of a product is mainly due to raw material usage in its manufacturing. BIC has embarked upon an environmentally responsible approach, and demonstrated that its founding principle of “just what’s necessary”  (1)  enables the Group not only to offer more affordable products, but also products that have less impact on the environment.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS FOR THREE MAIN BIC ® PRODUCTS

Life cycle assessment approach – ReCiPe (version 1.12) Endpoint (H/A) Europe

Raw materials

Production

Distribution

End of life

BIC ® Cristal ® ball pen

81%

12%

4%

3%

BIC ® Maxi flint lighter

81%

11%

5%

3%

BIC ® Classic single-blade shaver

79%

14%

4%

3%

To evaluate its products’ environmental performances, BIC focuses on life cycle phases where it can take action. For shavers, an approach incorporating the usage phase shows that this step – involving water, water heating and the disposal of the shaving cream packaging – plays a key role (78% of the total environmental impact, according to certain estimations), underlining the importance of consumer awareness. From 2008 to 2014, BIC measured the environmental performances of its products as part of a commitment specified in the Barometer. This measure is now completely integrated in the processes for designing or modifying a product. In Stationery, 100% of new products are thus subject to eco-measurement.

(R&D) designers to carry out complete and detailed environmental evaluations, as well as create quick decision-making studies during the design process. Whenever possible for products that are still on the drawing board, BIC R&D teams explore different solutions for minimizing impacts by varying the types and quantities of materials used, while respecting design and manufacturing requirements. In this way, BIC continues its quest to find a balance between quality, cost and environmental requirements. In 2015, the databases used by the SimaPro tool were updated, making it possible to integrate the most recent scientific knowledge. These updates take place in stages, eventually extending to all categories. Within BIC Group, the users of SimaPro in combination with the e-DEA interface are essentially the R&D design teams and the Sustainable Development Department, for building the internal scientific expertise needed for the realization of normalized LCAs (ISO 14040). To bolster and spread the culture of eco-design within the Group, BIC deployed two specific tools in 2016: sharing the products’ environmental profiles with the teams ● in charge of their development, in the form of information sheets summarizing the SimaPro findings. These sheets, which are integrated into the design and development process, improve the product managers’ knowledge of each product’s environmental benefits; an in-house eco-design and LCA guide was made available to ● the teams in charge of product design and new product launches.

100% of new Stationery products are subject to eco-measurement.

Our LCA and eco-design tools In 2004, upon the launch of its Sustainable Development Program, BIC extended the life cycle work and commissioned a normalized Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) along with several simplified LCAs for three category-leading products. The move was immediately followed by the procurement of an internal environmental measurement tool for use by BIC designers. In 2009, continuing its approach, BIC replaced its first tool with SimaPro, a professional LCA software package that is equipped with the e-DEA  (2) interface to enable Research and Development

Il y aura l’âge des choses légères by Thierry Kazazian, Victoires Éditions, 2003. (1) Everybody can Design with Environmental Awareness. (2)

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• BIC GROUP - 2018 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT •