14 October 2023 , 18:06
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Hundreds of iconic brands face losing the King’s seal of approval unless they prove their green credentials.
Sought-after Royal Warrants became void when the Queen died and firms now need to reapply. Some 800 had been issued, allowing firms to have a royal coat of arms on their packaging for at least five years, or until their warrant is cancelled.
The royal stamp helps businesses pocket 5% more each year – often the equivalent of millions of pounds. The review of warrants is going on until spring.
And the Royal Warrant Association's website warns: "Applicants are required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate environmental and sustainability policy and action plan.” It means famous warrant holders, such as Cathedral City, Cadbury, Audi and Burberry face the axe.
Cadbury's has been slammed for not using Fair Trade cocoaCadbury, maker of Dairy Milk, was slammed by eco warriors last year for not using Fair Trade cocoa. Cheese brand Cathedral City was criticised over pollution levels at a Cornish factory.
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Bosses at both firms were again embarrassed when milk in their products was linked to deforestation in Brazil. Burberry’s royal patronage is also at risk, after a large quantity of the fashion firm’s stock was burned in 2018.
Audi’s parent firm VW was fined £1million over the Dieselgate fake emissions scandal in 2015. And the likes of Coca-Cola and Twinings tea have been attacked in recent years over plastic use.
A source at one of the UK’s oldest warrant holders fears their firm could fold without the royal accolade. She said: “Our boss said we’re losing the warrant because we don’t use recycled cardboard in our packaging. For years we’ve been trading on our links to the Royal Family and we’re worried we’ll lose the prestige.”
Around 40 to 60 brands lose their warrants each year. The King, 74, is a lifelong environmentalist with a long history of fighting for organic farming and tackling climate change.
He proudly owns an Aston Martin that has been modified to partly run on bioethanol, and 90% of the energy for his office comes from renewable sources.
Cadbury said: “Cadbury is proud to have been granted its first Royal Warrant in 1854. “We continue to use the existing Royal Warrant across some of our products and will consider the process to reapply at the appropriate time in the future once guidance is available.”
Cathedral City, Coca-Cola, Burberry, Audi and Twinings were all approached for comment