BIC - 2019 Universal Registration Document

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility concerning our products [NFPS]

In 2019, BIC in North America became a member of How2Recycle, an organization that promotes the use of clear, concise and consistent recycling labels. A program to introduce “H2R” labels on BIC’s product packaging for the North American market will begin in 2020.

65%

Made inFrance

BIC ® WRITING PRODUCTS EARN THE NF ENVIRONNEMENT ÉCOLABEL

For equal performance in use, the NF Environnement ecolabel granted in France by AFNOR Certification certifies products that have a reduced impact on the environment. To obtain this ecolabel, a product must comply with certain functional and ecological guidelines conceived to reduce its environmental impact throughout its life cycle. In the case of BIC ® writing products, the main criteria for receiving the ecolabel are limited quantities of raw materials or the use of recycled materials, a long performance life and the strength of the pencil leads. BIC was the first manufacturer of writing instruments to earn NF Environnement certification. Today, a full range of 19 BIC ® products has been granted this ecolabel, including historical products like the BIC ® Cristal ® and the BIC ® 4-Color ™ ballpoint pen, as well as the pens in the BIC ® Ecolutions ® line.

3.2.4

OPTIMIZED PACKAGING

In France, BIC is a member of the ADEME-Quantis platform and participates in the joint effort now underway on environmental labeling of products. To this end, in 2012 the Group launched a test score posting in the form of a dedicated website  (1) that shows the ecological footprint of the BIC ® Flex 3 and BIC ® Flexi Lady shavers and proposes eco-habits that allow consumers to help reduce the footprint. Since 2015, in compliance with French law, BIC has been offering consumers sorting instructions for its packaging. This information is posted in a dedicated section of the Group’s website. 3.2.3.3 100% of the environmental claims that appear on the ● packaging, in the catalogs and on the websites for BIC ® products are approved by the Legal Department. 19 BIC ® writing instruments received the French ecolabel ● NF Environnement (NF 400). Responsible products are a permanent and ever-growing feature of BIC’s product range. In the coming years the Group will continue integrating these products into its corporate strategy, in particular through commitment #1 of Writing the Future, Together: fostering sustainable innovation in BIC ® products, while giving them greater visibility by pursuing the efforts undertaken to improve the communication of its range of responsible products. Results and perspectives  [NFPS]

Challenges ❯ Packaging is needed at several stages in the life cycle of BIC ® products: for their protection, shipping, storage and sale, and for promotional support. BIC’s packaging consists primarily of boxes and cases made of plastic, paper and cardboard. This packaging has an environmental impact during its manufacturing and shipping, and at its end of life. Approach and progress made in 2019 ❯ Historically, BIC promotes selling products without consumer packaging or in value packs. In Europe, 69% of writing products are packaged in boxes, trays or pouches of at least 10 products (79% in North America), 79% of lighters are sold in trays of at least 50 (71% in North America) and 67% of shavers are marketed in pouches of five, 10 or more (49% in North America). BIC Group Packaging Community The “Packaging Community” was formed to promote a packaging approach that takes sustainable development into account and demonstrates its utility for the Group, by pursuing shared goals and by defining a strategy for the Group in response to major trends. To that end, it unites a network of packaging experts from around the world. In 2019, the Packaging Community focused its efforts on the following: completing the transition of the last 1% of PVC still used in Europe and the United States; joining the How2Recycle organization for the Group’s operations in the United States; introducing sorting logos on BIC packaging; increasing the share of recycled materials in the Group’s primary packaging; and monitoring the key indicators for packaging optimization.

www.bicworld.com/fr/affichage-environnemental. (1)

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• BIC GROUP - 2019 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT •