PODCAST 219: Why Beauty Brands Are Being Sued Over Sustainability Claims

Have you ever wondered how to navigate the tricky waters of sustainability regulations? This episode is a must-listen to ensure your brand stands out for the right reasons.

In this episode, Maggie Spicer, attorney and sustainability consultant, joins us. She the head Source Beauty in Washington, DC. Maggie brings a wealth of knowledge from her dual background. It offers unique insights into the complexities of environmental claims in the beauty industry.

Maggie shares her passion for both beauty and sustainability. It led her to complete a Formula Botanica certificate during her maternity leave. Eventually, it prompted her to start her own company.

Join us as Maggie breaks down the common problems brands face and how to tackle them.

Whether you’re an experienced brand owner or just starting out, Maggie’s advice will empower you to make informed decisions that resonate with consumers and regulators.

“Some brands are trying to be cute. They want a little bunny. It looks like it’s jumping, but it’s not the bunny certification. What you have now done is not only have you attempted to infringe on someone’s intellectual property, but you are misleading a consumer into thinking that your product is either cruelty free or hopping bunny certified.“

Maggie Spicer, Source Beauty

In this episode with Maggie Spicer, you’ll hear:

• Maggie’s Transition: How Maggie made the shift from corporate law to founding Source Beauty.
• Sustainability Claims: The importance of substantiating sustainability claims and the risks of not doing so.
• Regulatory information: Delve into the evolving regulatory landscape around environmental claims.
• Strategies: Considerations for auditing and categorizing claims on different platforms.
• Practical advice: Guidelines for creating a sustainable brand that resonates with both consumers and regulators.

KEY PARTICIPATIONS INCLUDE:

• The Importance of Authenticity: Maggie emphasizes that brands need to develop a clear and authentic sustainability strategy. It must be tailored to their unique niche and target audience.
• Navigation regulations: The regulatory landscape for sustainability claims is evolving. Maggie explains the importance of understanding and following both national and international standards to avoid legal pitfalls.
• Consumer perception: Ensuring that sustainability claims are clear and substantiated is vital to maintaining consumer confidence. Misleading claims can lead to significant legal challenges.
• Framework for claims: Building a strong framework for sustainability claims helps brands move from a state of fear to empowerment.

Listen now to our latest episode to discover how to protect your brand and avoid sustainability pitfalls.

Meet our guest: Maggie Spicer

Maggie Spicer is an attorney and sustainability consultant who founded Source Beauty in Washington, DC. Her company helps brands and founders navigate sustainability regulations, build sustainability initiatives and make credible environmental claims. Maggie’s background as a supply chain attorney and her passion for beauty and sustainability led her to create a business that integrates legal expertise with strategic sustainability advice.

Learn more about Maggie Spicer:
• Green Beauty Guide on Instagram
• Maggie Spicer on LinkedIn
• Source Beauty

Link to 10 Steps to a Sustainable Brand & Maggie’s Sustainability Bootcamp (scroll down the page)

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Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on iTunes, Spotify the Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier is a biologist, certified environmentalist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetics school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica team.