Organic Monitor has announced the finalists of its international 2014 Sustainable Beauty Awards after almost 100 entries were received from operators in the beauty industry – including cosmetic brands, ingredient firms, packaging companies, industry associations and related organisations.

The winner and runner-up in each of the five award categories will be announced at the Sustainable Beauty Awards reception in Paris on 24 November at the Paris Marriott Champs Elysées hotel. The reception will be hosted alongside the sixth European edition of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit – which will run until 26 November.

The Sustainable Beauty Awards are in place to give recognition to cosmetic and related firms who are “pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the beauty industry,” according to a statement by organiser Organic Monitor – a London-based research, consulting and training company dedicated to global organic and related product industries.

The sustainability pioneer award is given to an organisation in the beauty industry that is a leader/pioneer in some aspect of sustainability. Finalists for this award are: Asia Plantation Capital, Cruelty Free International, Neal’s Yard Remedies and Surya Brasil.

The sustainable leadership award is given to an organisation that is leading in various aspects of sustainability – displaying overall leadership in sustainability rather than mastering only a few areas. Finalists include: Aveda, Jurlique International, Whole Foods Market and Yves Rocher.

New packaging that has a low environmental footprint in terms of its design/ materials will be rewarded with the sustainable packaging awards. Finalists are: Laboratoire NUXE, Organic Essence, Pangea Organics and Surya Brasil.

The sustainable ingredient award is given to a cosmetic ingredient that makes a difference in terms of its environmental/ social footprint. Finalists for this award are: AAK, Berkem, Induchem and Mibelle Biochemistry.

A cosmetic brand with a high level of green (natural/organic) ingredients in its product formulations will be rewarded with the green formulations award. Those in the running include: Erbaviva, Greenlab Organics, LIM Cosmetics and Pure & Green Organics.