Nivea boss warns of loss of competitiveness in the European cosmetics industry

Nivea boss Vincent Warnery warns that the European cosmetics industry could lose its pioneering role in international competition. “We don’t want to become the next auto industry,” said the CEO of the DAX group Beiersdorf in an interview with the German Press Agency in Berlin. The European cosmetics industry creates jobs and prosperity. “So don’t overwhelm us with regulatory burdens,” Warnery appealed to the EU.

Warnery: Competitors are less regulated

Warnery said there was a risk that European companies would lose competitiveness because competitors from third countries would be less regulated. “Europe has to be very careful, especially when we look at the USA, China and Korea, where many regulations do not apply.”

The Frenchman emphasized: “Skin care products from Europe are already subject to the strictest quality standards. Nevertheless, we are asked to remove certain ingredients from our formulations, even if they do not pose a risk under normal use.” That is a big challenge.

Another nuisance from Warnery's point of view is the amendment to the EU municipal wastewater directive, which is intended to hold manufacturers of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products financially responsible. Companies like Beiersdorf should make high payments even though they are only responsible for a small part of the pollution, he criticized.

Warnery has led Beiersdorf since May 2021

Warnery has been leading the Hamburg consumer goods group since May 2021. Before moving to Beiersdorf, the business economist worked for the global industry leader L'Oréal from France, among others. Other companies active in the cosmetics sector in Europe include Unilever (UK), LVMH (France) and Henkel (Germany).

After Warnery took office, Beiersdorf grew rapidly. Most recently, in the first half of the year, the group recorded a decline in sales, which was due to weak figures from the group's most important brand, Nivea.