Is Unilever ethical?

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Labor & working conditions Confirmed

Unilever hides documents in worker crisis

Unilever failed to disclose key documents related to its crisis management role on a Kenyan plantation after victim requests.

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media.business-humanrights.org
Despite Unilever’s high-profile public commitment to the UNGPs, Unilever has sought to extinguish any possibility of access to remedy.4 Unilever relentlessly hid behind its corporate structure to prevent the claims from proceeding in England in the clear knowledge that the case could not proceed in Kenya (as confirmed in findings of the High Court – see paragraphs 39-44 below).5 Further, in response to specific requests by the victims, Unilever plc failed to disclose key documents relevant to its role in crisis management on the Kenyan plantation.

Corporate conduct Confirmed

UK regulators investigate Unilever for misleading eco-claims

UK regulators are investigating Unilever for potentially misleading eco-friendly claims on products.

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yahoo.com
UK regulators are investigating Unilever for potentially misleading eco-friendly claims on products.

Corporate conduct Recall

Unilever recalls Dove facial cleanser massager

Unilever recalled the Dove Facial Cleansing Massager after nine reports of minor injuries.

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cpsc.gov

Unilever Recalls Dove Facial Cleansing Massager after Nine Reports of Minor Injuries

Unilever Recalls Dove Facial Cleansing Massager after Nine Reports of Minor Injuries

Corporate conduct Recall

Unilever recalls Plush Snuggle® Bears

CPSC and Unilever jointly announced a recall of Plush Snuggle® Bears.

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cpsc.gov

CPSC, Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Announce Recall of Plush Snuggle® Bears

CPSC, Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Announce Recall of Plush Snuggle® Bears

Corporate conduct Confirmed

U.K. regulator investigates Unilever merger

The U.K.'s competition regulator opened an investigation into whether the proposed $44.8 billion merger between McCormick & Co. and Unilever's food division would violate antitrust law.

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finance.yahoo.com
The U.K.'s competition regulator has opened an investigation into whether the proposed $44.8 billion merger between McCormick & Co. and Unilever's food division would violate antitrust law.

Corporate conduct Allegation

Unilever PLC was named in a civil antitrust lawsuit filed by the United States on May 6, 2011

Background On May 6, 2011, the United States filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Defendants Unilever N.V ., Unilever PLC, and Conopco, Inc. (collectively “Unilever”) and Alberto Culver Inc. (“Alberto-Culver”) to enjoin Unilever’s proposed acquisition of Alberto-Culver.

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justice.gov
Background On May 6, 2011, the United States filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Defendants Unilever N.V ., Unilever PLC, and Conopco, Inc. (collectively “Unilever”) and Alberto Culver Inc. (“Alberto-Culver”) to enjoin Unilever’s proposed acquisition of Alberto-Culver.

Climate & energy Settlement

Unilever settles for $199,500 environmental penalty

Unilever agrees to pay $199,500 to the California Air Pollution Control Fund as part of a settlement for environmental violations.

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ww2.arb.ca.gov
2. Unilever in settlement of the above-described violations of title17, CCR,
The parties stipulate that this Agreement shall be the final resolution of ARB claims regarding the above-described violations and shall have the same res judicata effect as a judgment in terms of acting as bar to any civil action by ARB against Unilever, its officers, directors, receivers, trustees, employees, successors and assignees, subsidiary and parent corporations.
Unilever in settlement of the above-described violations of title17, CCR, section 94509(a) agrees to pay a penalty to ARB in the amount of $199,500.00 payable to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, concurrent with the execution of this agreement.

Corporate conduct Recall

Unilever recalls Snuggle Teeny Bean Bears

Unilever announced a recall of Snuggle Teeny Bean Bears.

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cpsc.gov

CPSC, Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Announce Recall of Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears Included with Fabric Softener

CPSC, Unilever Home and Personal Care USA Announce Recall of Snuggle® Teeny Bean Bears Included with Fabric Softener

Corporate conduct Ruling

Unilever faces ruling over carcinogen-tainted dry shampoo

A Unilever supplier is trying to shift the blame in a lawsuit accusing it and the consumer goods behemoth of selling carcinogen-tainted dry shampoo, telling a Connecticut federal court that two of its suppliers, including BP, are actually the ones who should be held liable.

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law360.com
A Unilever supplier is trying to shift the blame in a lawsuit accusing it and the consumer goods behemoth of selling carcinogen-tainted dry shampoo, telling a Connecticut federal court that two of its suppliers, including BP, are actually the ones who should be held liable.

Corporate conduct Settlement

Unilever settlement over antitrust law

Antitrust: Commission fines producers of washing powder € 315.2 million in cartel settlement case The European Commission today fined Procter & Gamble and Unilever a total of € 315.2 million for operating a cartel together with Henkel in the market for household laundry powder detergents in eight European Union countries.

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ec.europa.eu
Antitrust: Commission fines producers of washing powder € 315.2 million in cartel settlement case The European Commission today fined Procter & Gamble and Unilever a total of € 315.2 million for operating a cartel together with Henkel in the market for household laundry powder detergents in eight European Union countries.