Unilever, established over 100 years ago, is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies with a global footprint spanning over 190 countries and a turnover of €59.6 billion in 2023. Its product portfolio includes more than 400 household name brands, with 81% ranking in the top two in their markets. Unilever’s lobbying activities in the EU focus on sustainability, environmental regulations, and consumer protection, aligned with its corporate goals of making sustainable living commonplace and improving health and hygiene worldwide.
Since its registration in the EU Transparency Register in January 2009, Unilever has actively engaged in lobbying on key EU legislative files such as the Clean Industrial Deal, Circular Economy Act, EU Deforestation Regulation, Green Claims Directive, and REACH, among others. The company’s lobbying efforts include shaping policies on sustainable packaging, climate action, agricultural practices, and chemical regulations.
Unilever operates a dedicated EU office in Brussels and employs a team of four full-time equivalent lobbyists, all accredited to the European Parliament. The firm has maintained a significant presence in high-level meetings with EU institutions, recording 58 meetings with the European Commission alone. Financially, Unilever declares annual lobbying expenditures in the range of €400,000 to €499,999 as of 2024, reflecting its sustained commitment to influencing EU policy in line with its sustainability and business objectives.
Unilever also networks extensively through affiliations with numerous trade associations and industry groups across Europe and Africa. These include the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), Cosmetics Europe, European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), FoodDrinkEurope, and others, which help amplify its lobbying reach and effectiveness.
The company’s lobbying is managed under strict internal oversight to ensure alignment with its climate and sustainability goals, including adherence to the Paris Agreement targets. This involves regular reviews by senior sustainability and corporate affairs executives and mandatory compliance training for employees engaged in policy advocacy.
