2024 universal registration document

2. Corporate governance

Pursuant to the scale of indemnities under the National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Chemical Industries, in the event of dismissal, except in the event of gross misconduct or gross negligence, the indemnity would be capped, in light of Nicolas Hieronimus’ length of service, at 20 months’ remuneration under the suspended employment contract. 

In respect of the employment contract, pursuant to the provisions of the National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Chemical Industries and in the event of termination of the employment contract, the indemnity due in consideration of the non-compete clause would be payable monthly for two years on the basis of two thirds of the monthly fixed remuneration attached to the suspended employment contract unless Nicolas Hieronimus were to be released from application of the clause. This clause does not apply in the event of voluntary retirement or compulsory retirement on the Company’s initiative: no consideration for non-competition would be paid in such a situation.

3. Defined benefit pension scheme

Nicolas Hieronimus will continue to benefit, under his suspended employment contract during the exercise of the corporate office, from the Garantie de Ressources des Retraités Anciens Cadres Dirigeants scheme (Retirement Income Guarantee for Former Senior Executives), which has been closed to new members effective from 31 December 2015. The income guarantee is calculated on the basis of the number of years of professional service in the Company up to 31 December 2019, up to a limit of 25 years. Generally, after 31 December 2019, no new rights are granted under this scheme, pursuant to French Order no. 2019-697 of 3 July 2019 concerning supplementary professional retirement schemes, which stipulated the closure of all defined benefit schemes governed by Article L. 137-11 of the French Social Security Code.

The main features of this scheme are as follows:

  • around 340 senior executives (active or retired) are concerned;
  • the minimum length of service requirement was 10 years at the time of closure of the scheme on 31 December 2015;
  • the income guarantee is calculated on the basis of the number of years of professional service in the Company until 31 December 2019, capped at 25 years, each year leading to a progressive and regular increase of 1.8% in the level of the guarantee. The pension cannot exceed 50% of the calculation base or exceed the average of the fixed part of wages;
  • the guarantee is financed by contributions paid to an insurance institution. These contributions are deductible from corporate income tax and are subject to the employer’s contribution as provided for in Article L. 137-11, 2a) of the French Social Security Code at a rate of 24%.

The pension rights of Nicolas Hieronimus are no longer likely to change insofar as he has more than 25 years of service, the ceiling above which no additional annuity is granted under this scheme. For information purposes, the gross estimated pension amount to be paid to Nicolas Hieronimus after 37 years of service within L’Oréal, under L’Oréal’s Garantie de Ressources des Retraités Anciens Cadres Dirigeants scheme (Retirement Income Guarantee for Former Senior Executives), had he been able to liquidate on 31 December 2024 his full- rate pension rights under French Social Security, would represent €1.71 million.

This information is given as an indication after estimating the main pension rights accrued by Nicolas Hieronimus as a result of his professional activities, according to the rules for payment of such pensions in force at 31 December 2024, which may be subject to change. The amount of the pension paid to Nicolas Hieronimus under L’Oréal’s income guarantee for senior executives (Garantie de Ressources Dirigeants) will only be calculated on the date when he applies for all his pensions.

As a reminder, the rights to the defined benefit pension are uncertain and conditional on the completion of the beneficiary’s career in the Company. The financing of this scheme by L’Oréal cannot be broken down individually by employee.

2.4.3.6 Situation of Jean-Paul Agon

Jean-Paul Agon notified the Company of the termination of his employment contract on 30 April 2021, in order to be able to draw his retirement benefits as from 1 May 2021, following a 42-year career with the organisation. Under his suspended employment contract, Jean-Paul Agon is entitled to draw the pension cover for members of the Comité de Conjoncture (garantie de retraite des membres du comité de conjoncture) , a supplementary pension scheme that closed on 31 December 2000.

The annuity entitlement under this scheme was approved, in the context of the related-party agreements procedure, by the Annual General Meeting of 27 April 2010 and by the Annual General Meeting of 17 April 2018. In accordance with the remuneration policy applicable to Jean-Paul Agon in his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors, he irrevocably waived his right to receive all retirement annuity arrears resulting from this scheme from 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2024.

Jean-Paul Agon has received this pension annuity since 1 May 2024.