How Givaudan is Mitigating Risk and Automating Compliance

Givaudan, the global leader in fragrance and beauty, is automating compliance with international trade regulations in a bid to mitigate risk.

The organisation is implementing real-time screening of partners to ensure they are reliable and risk-free.

As a result, it is maintaining its position as an ethical and responsible company, building business resilience along the way. 

A global company

With 78 production sites around the world, Givaudan is a chemical manufacturing company and global leader in beauty and wellbeing.

The company works to create a range of solutions matching consumer demands for clean label, organic and natural ingredients. 

As a global company with a major reach and a passion for safe, sustainable ingredients, Givaudan is seeking to improve its risk mitigation capabilities by implementing Descartes' solutions. 

Descartes has a cloud-based screening solution which automates international compliance. The denied party screening software allows for the automation of processes and reduction of false positives thanks to its AI-driven accuracy.

The tech adapts depending on individual business needs and can screen against global government watch lists. It is able to uncover hidden risks using sophisticated screening methods with automatic updates on emerging denied and restricted parties.

Risk mitigation strategies

Givaudan must abide by every compliance rule in the different countries in which it operates, but doing so manually takes time and resources, often leading to mistakes and outdated data.

“Givaudan has compliance woven into our DNA," says Paola Sesana, Group Head of Tax and Trade Affairs at Givaudan. "Adhering to regulations not only safeguards our business but also reinforces our ethical commitment.

“By collaborating with Descartes and implementing its comprehensive screening solution, we’ve gained the ability to automate partner screening in real-time, reduce manual screening workloads, and proactively mitigate compliance risks in a complex and fast-evolving global trade environment.”

Prior to adopting Descartes' solution, Givaudan's compliance checks often used static or old databases, putting the company at risk. By moving away from manual data entries and turning towards automation, Givaudan is enjoying new levels of operational efficiency.

The solution enhances Givaudan's framework by:

• Reducing manual workloads which was often time-consuming and error-prone
• Providing 'current' compliance monitoring to mitigate reputation and regulatory risks
• Automating real-time screening against global lists to assess business partner risks

Creating transparency

Descartes has a Global Trade Intelligence software suite which allows it to pick up data from around the world. Its cloud-based solution is part of this software and has access to content from the EU, APAC, EMEA and North America.

Companies of all sizes, from any industry, rely on the solution's watch lists and regulatory content, including those in retail manufacturing, aerospace, defence, transportation, financial services and education. 

“Our collaboration with Givaudan demonstrates how automated compliance tools can empower global organisations to act with greater supply chain agility, transparency and integrity,” adds Shahab Wahdatehagh, VP Global Trade Intelligence EMEP/AP at Descartes.

“In today’s complex trade environment, our denied and restricted party screening solutions help businesses like Givaudan stay ahead of evolving regulations while maintaining operational focus and resilience.”

Descartes helps clients manage trade disruption by streamlining workflows and strengthening compliance to reduce risk.

Ongoing conflicts raise the risk of trading with certain countries, whether through proximity or direct involvement. Screening tools and other risk platforms provide a clear view of counterparties’ risk profile.

The past year has shown that delayed, reactive responses do not work. Businesses must act early and invest in robust solutions.

Givaudan has done so, putting measures in place to remain efficient and resilient amid turbulence.