Latest news with #MarissaSaretsky
Daily News Egypt
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Opella becomes first global consumer healthcare firm to gain B Corp status
Opella has become the first global consumer healthcare company to achieve B Corp Certification after meeting the social and environmental standards set by B Lab, the non-profit organisation behind the accreditation. The certification covers Opella's global operations and follows a four-year transformation process, during which the company said it redefined its approach to sustainability, innovation and governance. The company demonstrated strong performance in areas including climate action, product sustainability, community health and leadership accountability. 'Being B Corp certified globally is a first step on our sustainability journey,' Julie Van Ongevalle, Opella President and CEO, said in a statement. 'We owe it to the incredible work done by our 11,000 employees across the globe, our customers and our consumers. It is a commitment to redefine self-care by proving that business success and sustainability can and must go hand in hand.' The company cited several achievements on its path to certification, including a 64% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2019 and sourcing over 93% of its electricity from renewable sources. As of 2024, 97% of Opella's paper-based packaging comes from certified or recycled materials. Opella also reported that its partnerships with local non-governmental organisations on community programmes have directly benefited over one million people since 2022. In 2024 alone, its educational campaigns on health awareness and responsible medicine use reached over 129 million individuals. 'This recognition reflects the ambition that drives us forward,' said Marissa Saretsky, Chief Sustainability Officer. 'Going through the certifying process has been an amazing catalyst to drive our sustainability transformation, spur innovation, and engage our employees. It sets a global benchmark, and we are committed to leading from the front by turning high standards into everyday action. This is just the beginning.' Feirouz Ellouze, General Manager for Opella in Africa, the Middle East and Turkiye, added that the certification marks the beginning of a deeper commitment. 'B Corp certification marks the beginning of our journey to deepen our commitment to environmental stewardship,' Ellouze said. 'At Opella, we believe that our mission to bring health into the hands of our consumers is inseparable from our responsibility to care for the planet. Sustainability isn't a side initiative—it's a core part of who we are and what we do. We can't deliver health without honoring the planet—because true well-being begins with a thriving world.'
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Opella achieves global B Corp Certification
Egypt – Opella is the first global consumer healthcare company to achieve B Corp Certification, after meeting the rigorous social and environmental standards set by B Lab, the nonprofit behind the certification. This achievement marks a milestone on Opella's journey to deliver responsible self-care for people and planet. This certification follows an intensive four-year transformation effort, during which Opella has redefined its approach to sustainability, innovation, and governance in all countries across its global operations. The company demonstrated strong performance in key areas including climate action, product sustainability, community health, and accountability at leadership level. Julie Van Ongevalle, Opella President and CEO: ' Being B Corp certified globally is a first step on our sustainability journey. We owe it to the incredible work done by our 11,000 employees across the globe, our customers and our consumers. It is a commitment to redefine self-care by proving that business success and sustainability can and must go hand in hand. ' Marissa Saretsky, Chief Sustainability Officer: ' This recognition reflects the ambition that drives us forward. Going through the certifying process has been an amazing catalyst to drive our sustainability transformation, spur innovation, and engage our employees. It sets a global benchmark, and we are committed to leading from the front by turning high standards into everyday action. This is just the beginning. ' Feirouz Ellouze, Opella Africa,Middle East, Turkiye (AMET) General Manager: " B Corp certification marks the beginning of our journey to deepen our commitment to environmental stewardship. At Opella, we believe that our mission to bring health into the hands of our consumers is inseparable from our responsibility to care for the planet. Sustainability isn't a side initiative—it's a core part of who we are and what we do. We can't deliver health without honoring the planet—because true well-being begins with a thriving world." Key achievements include a 64% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions since 2019 and sourcing over 93% of Opella's electricity from renewable sources. As of 2024, 97% of Opella's paper-based packaging comes from certified or recycled materials. Additionally, since 2022, Opella's partnership with local NGOs on community programs has directly benefited over 1 million people, and in 2024 alone, its educational campaigns on health awareness and responsible use of medicine reached over 129 million individuals. Opella joins a community of committed companies and encourages more self-care players to join the journey toward greater responsibility and impact. Looking ahead, Opella views B Corp certification as a dynamic framework for continued progress. Its commitment to recertify regularly ensures the company remains focused on advancing innovative, inclusive, and measurable solutions for a healthy society and planet. About B Lab: B Lab is a nonprofit transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, tools, and programs for business, and we certify companies, known as B Corps, who are leading the way. To date, our community includes 950,000 workers in over 9,600 B Corps across 102 countries and 161 industries. About Opella. Opella is the self-care challenger with third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to bring health in people's hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting. At the core of this mission are our brands worldwide, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many brands worldwide, including Telfast, Doliprane, Bronchicum, Enterogermina, Maalox, Nasacort, Maxilase, Bisolvon and Buscopan, B Corp certified, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet.
Daily News Egypt
28-06-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Opella Egypt leads with purpose at Africa Health ExCon
Opella Egypt participated as a Gold Sponsor at Africa Health ExCon 2025, co-hosted by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Africa's leading healthcare event. The conference welcomed over 60,000 attendees from 150+ countries, held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. 'Towards Sustainable Healthcare' session, held by Opella on June 25, focused on Opella's sustainability, B Corp certification and self-care vision. At the heart of the session was a panel on e-Labelling, a joint ambition by Opella and the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) to cut waste and expand access to reliable health information. The takeaway was simple: Digital, eco-friendly tools aren't optional. They're essential for a smarter, more sustainable future. Opella leaders, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the EDA, South Africa's regulatory bodies, and the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) contributed valuable insights. The message was clear: Long-term impact starts with informed choices, stronger health literacy, and is bolstered by collaboration. Opella achieved a new milestone on its journey to deliver responsible self-care for people and planet. Certified by B Lab, B Corp recognizes companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Marissa Saretsky, Chief Sustainability Officer: 'We are proud to be the first global consumer healthcare company to achieve B Corp Certification, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and accountability. Our strategy towards a healthier planet and society focuses on decarbonizing our operations and value chain, embedding circularity, driving health literacy and supporting surrounding communities through NGO partnerships. We look forward to working with all partners across the sector to make sustainable self-care second nature.' Josephine Fubara, Chief Science Officer: 'e-Labeling puts more power in the hands of consumers. It empowers consumers by making self-care easier, more accessible, and sustainable—while simplifying healthcare for everyone. To realize its full potential, we need early, open collaboration across regulators, industry, healthcare professionals, and patients.' Feirouz Ellouze, General Manager (AMET): 'Opella's presence at the conference highlights our commitment to sustainable healthcare systems. We are a dedicated global self-care leader, ready to meet the health needs of consumers. Our independence allows us to innovate faster and stay focused on our mission: making self-care as simple as it should be – for everyone.' The EDA has been leading a multi-phase e-Labelling shift to modernize medicine information and boost sustainability. Launched in 2022, The initiative, launched in 2022, replaces paper leaflets with QR-linked digital formats, starting with hospital-use products. Now in its second phase, it supports health literacy, cuts paper waste, and sets the stage for full digital integration using global standards. By digitizing the 60 million leaflets provided annually by Opella Egypt alone, we could save 300 tonnes of carbon emissions and protect 5,400 trees. Recognizing the significance of collaboration and active participation among various stakeholders, Opella is committed to supporting initiatives that facilitate this transition and drive sustainable change.
