L'Oréal Groupe's El Segundo Corporate Office Awarded LEED & WELL Certification

LOS ANGELES, CA, December 10, 2024 – L’Oréal USA, the U.S. subsidiary of the L’Oréal Groupe, is proud to announce its corporate office in El Segundo, California, home to its NYX Professional Makeup, Urban Decay, Youth to the People and SkinBetter Science brands, has been awarded two LEED Platinum Certifications in addition to WELL Certification at the Platinum Level, the highest distinction for sustainability, innovation and advancing human health and well-being in building design and operations. This achievement marks the first time a L’Oréal building has received three platinum certifications in sustainability and occupant health, underscoring the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and employee well-being.

The WELL Building Standard, administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), focuses on a building's design, operations, and policies to ensure they support the health and well-being of occupants. L’Oréal is the first beauty company in the corporate category to achieve WELL Platinum certification.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, recognizes buildings that support environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant health, marketability, and innovation. L’Oréal achieved platinum certification for LEED ID+C (Interior Design and Construction), followed by LEED EBOM for Interiors (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance), marking its third certification. Demonstrating the commitment of the team at L’Oréal’s office in El Segundo to sustainable performance operating within an interior space, the LEED EBOM recognition is for existing interiors that have already been through the initial LEED process of creating a strong sustainable framework. 

"Achieving multiple LEED and WELL Platinum certifications at our El Segundo site is a testament to our commitment to pioneering sustainable and people-centric workplaces. These prestigious distinctions reflect our belief that environmental responsibility and employee well-being are intrinsically linked,” said Marissa Pagnani McGowan, Chief Sustainability Officer, North America, L’Oréal Groupe. “We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and grateful to LEED and WELL for giving us frameworks to pursue our ambitious site-level sustainability goals."

L’Oréal has created a healthy and supportive workplace and implemented a wide range of sustainable strategies including:

LEED Platinum Highlights:

• Energy Efficiency: Efficient HVAC and lighting systems reduces energy consumption, along with a 330kW solar array that generates enough renewable energy to offset 79% on average of the total energy used in the building.
• Water Conservation: Low-flow fixtures contribute to significant water savings, up to 40% of potable water.
• Waste Reduction: Robust recycling programs with Zero Waste corporate goals and the use of recycled content materials during construction and operations minimize waste and environmental impact.

WELL Platinum Highlights:

• Healthy Air Quality: Enhanced ventilation systems with MERV 13 filters and construction pollution management ensure optimal indoor air quality.
• Access to Natural Light: Ample windows and skylights maximizing natural light and supplemental task lights at workstations enhance mood and productivity. 
• Employee Well-being: Active design strategies, such as visible staircases, ergonomic workstations, and fitness facilities, promote physical activity while access to healthy food options contribute to overall employee well-being. Wellness supportive design through restorative/ wellness spaces, lactation rooms, and access to nature supports mental well-being through spaces that reduce stress and enhance cognitive function. 

“The work of innovative building projects like L’Oréal’s West Coast office is a fundamental driving force in transforming the way our buildings are built, designed and operated,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “Buildings that achieve LEED certification are lowering carbon emissions, reducing operating costs and conserving resources while prioritizing sustainable practices and human health. Because of L’Oréal, we are increasing the number of green buildings and getting closer to USGBC’s goal to outpace conventional buildings, while being environmentally and socially responsible and improving quality of life for generations to come.”

“Congratulations to L'Oréal for achieving WELL Certification at the Platinum level for its El Segundo office in California, exemplifying the pinnacle of social sustainability and workplace well-being,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. “We applaud L’Oréal for implementing WELL programs and strategies to craft a collaborative, thriving, people-first environment.”

This achievement serves as a testament to L’Oréal's commitment to integrating sustainability and well-being into all aspects of its operations.

About L'Oréal USA      

L'Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, the world’s leading beauty company. Through its management of over 35 iconic beauty brands, L’Oréal USA has generated more than $10 billion in sales annually. Products are available across all distribution channels including hair salons, department stores, mass market, pharmacies, medi-spas, e-commerce and more. L’Oréal USA’s commitment to growth is generated through sustainable innovation and driven by the company’s L’Oréal for the Future ambition which demonstrates sustainable development across the Group’s value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more than 12,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 16 states.

About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) 

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to transforming how buildings and communities are designed, built and operated to create thriving, healthy, equitable and resilient places that advance human and environmental wellbeing. USGBC leads market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About the International WELL Building Institute

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

CONTACT L’ORÉAL

Katherine Burns | [email protected]