BIC - 2020 Universal Registration Document

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY

Our products [NFPS]

TOOLS TO FACILITATE THE ECO-DESIGN PROCESS

Life Cycle Analysis The practice of measuring the products’ environmental performance has been extended by the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) approach, a method for assessing a product’s total environmental impact in each successive phase in its life. BIC often uses the simplified method of the life cycle approach, which is similar to Life Cycle Analysis except that it does not include the final independent verification phase. From the very beginning of its Sustainable Development Program, BIC Group has been committed to the life cycle approach to verify that it is making steady progress in all pertinent areas. The product design teams are equipped with an array of tools such as SimaPro, associated with e-DEA (1) (software, design interfaces, product environmental profiles, eco-design and LCA guides), which allow them to carry out comprehensive, detailed environmental assessments as well as rapid analyses to facilitate decision-making during the design process. The measuring of product performance is a prerequisite for improving that performance. BIC focuses on the stages of the product life cycle that it can affect. For a shaver, its use by the consumer, which includes water consumption, water heating and the disposal of the packaging for the shaving cream, is the most important stage (accounting for 78% of the environmental footprint according to some estimates). This makes consumer awareness all the more important. Since 2015, 100% of new products are thus subject to eco-measurement.

PERCENTAGE OF RECYCLED/ALTERNATIVE PLASTICS IN BIC ® PRODUCTS (%OF VOLUMES PURCHASED)

In 2020 the digital development of EMA was completed and the scorecard was totally integrated into the product development processes. All Marketing teams have received training on how to use this tool for the design or updating of a product, and an analysis of the Group’s product portfolio is underway. Having succeeded in this initial development for product improvement, in 2020 BIC began conceiving a similar tool for its packaging. The roll-out of product improvement plans in all three BIC ® product categories is scheduled to begin in 2021, in particular integrating the use of recycled and alternative raw materials, as specified in the Group’s most recent commitments. Progress will be assessed according to an indicator showing the percentage of BIC ® products improved in comparison with the year of reference. At the end of 2019, 90% (2) of the BIC ® product portfolio had been evaluated using EMA. Since the finalization and integration of EMA into business processes in April, nine products have been improved.

4.3%

3%

NA

2020

2018

2019

BIC has defined the environmental benefits for its products by complying with at least one of the following: lightweight and long-lasting (writing instruments ≤ 3 g/km; ● correction products ≤ 1.8 g/m; lighters ≤ 8 g/1,000 flames; shavers ≤ 1 g/shave); made from alternative materials (recycled, vegetable origin, ● etc.); refillable; ● eco-labeled ( NF Environnement , etc.). ● This indicator is calculated on the number of units and concerns the products of the three main categories (except PIMACO and Cello Pens activities).

Everybody can Design with Environmental Awareness. (1) Based on 2018 sales volume. (2)

90

• BIC GROUP - 2020 UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT •