Political Engagement

At The Estée Lauder Companies we are committed to the highest standards of professional and personal conduct.

Consistent with the commitment to be a responsible citizen in every community we serve, we conduct our relations with governments in places where we do business in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Lobbying and Public Policy Positions

The Estée Lauder Companies’ business is affected by legislation and regulations everywhere we operate, market or sell our products. We communicate regularly with governments to give our views on proposed legislation, regulation, or public policies and work to educate them on the high standards to which we hold ourselves accountable.

From time to time, we may take a position on matters of public policy that could affect our business, employees or the communities we serve. As a matter of Company policy, our business units, members of management or employees may not take positions on matters of public policy or engage in lobbying activities in the Company's name or on the Company's behalf without the approval of the Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs.

Our political policy, public policy and legislative priorities are reviewed periodically with senior management. In addition, periodically, we provide a report to the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee concerning government relations activities and policies, political contributions and expenditures and other related topics.

Political Campaign Contributions and Expenditures

The Estée Lauder Companies does not have a political action committee ("PAC").

Consistent with U.S. federal law, The Estée Lauder Companies does not make political contributions to candidates for federal office, and we do not make contributions to candidates for state or local office, or to state or local political parties.

As of 2018, as a matter of policy, The Estée Lauder Companies decided not to make political contributions in state or local races and parties. Historically, it made a modest number of political contributions to state and local political candidates and parties in the United States. In each year between 2014 and 2017, such contributions totaled less than $20,000.Contributions were made without regard for the private political preferences of our executives.

Further, as a matter of policy, The Estée Lauder Companies does not use corporate funds to support 527 organizations, 501(c)(4)s, ballot measures or "Super PACs." In addition, we do not make independent political expenditures to influence federal, state, or local elections and do not allow Company facilities to be used for purposes of campaigning or fundraising.

Trade and Industry Associations

The Estée Lauder Companies works with industry associations and other trade organizations on public policy matters in some of our key markets when we believe that such participation is in the best interests of the Company. Because these associations and organizations have numerous members with different areas of focus, they may address a very broad range of public policy and other matters; as a result, there may be occasions where The Estée Lauder Companies’ views on particular issues may differ from the views of certain associations or organizations in which we participate.

Personal Care Products Council - approximately $187,096 of The Estée Lauder Companies’ dues paid in 2023 to the U.S. cosmetics trade association, the Personal Care Products Council (“PCPC”), were identified by PCPC as funds spent on lobbying and political activities.   

US Chamber of Commerce – approximately $9,275 of The Estee Lauder Companies’ dues paid in 2023 to the US Chamber of Commerce were identified by the Chamber as funds spent on lobbying and political activities. Previous dues to both trade associations identified as funds spent on lobbying are available here.

Similarly, related expenses identified by other U.S. associations in which we are a member are believed to be de minimis and in no instance more than $10,000. The company shares the amount of funds spent on lobbying by US trade associations for which our membership dues meet or exceed $25,000 per year.

Please note all payments or contributions disclosed within this page were in compliance with our corporate political contributions policy.