Weleda commissions independent, comprehensive investigation into the company’s history during the Nazi era

Weleda AG, the global market leader in certified natural cosmetics and anthroposophic medicines, has commissioned the Gesellschaft für Unternehmensgeschichte (Society for Business History (GuG)) to conduct a new, independent, and comprehensive study on the company’s history during the Nazi era.

“We strongly condemn the atrocities of National Socialism. Fascism, anti-Semitism, racism, or far-right ideologies have no place in our company. ‘Never again’ is an expression of our position,” stated Tina Müller, CEO of Weleda AG. “This is why we are committed to a thorough examination of our history. Weleda stands for tolerance, diversity, and humanity.”

In 2023 Weleda commissioned the GuG to prepare a scientific report on parts of the company’s history during National Socialism. However, the report, completed in 2024, was not comprehensive so did not cover every single aspect in detail.

Additionally, historians Prof. Dr. Peter Selg, Matthias Mochner, and Susanne H. Gross have been researching Weleda’s history during the Nazi era, among other topics, for several years and have already published two volumes on the subject: “Anthroposophic Medicine, Pharmacy, and Curative Education during National Socialism 1933–1945” (published in May 2024) and “Anthroposophy and National Socialism: Weleda and WALA – The Anthroposophic Remedy Companies” (published in August 2025, both by Schwabe Verlag). Weleda supported the researchers’ work and granted them full access to the company archives.

Recently, historian Anne Sudrow presented an extensive work on the significance of organic farming and naturopathy in the Dachau concentration camp. The book also includes details about Weleda’s connections during that time, which may not have been fully explored in previous research. Sudrow also had access to Weleda’s archival materials for her work, including board meeting minutes from the Nazi era.

“All these works serve as an impetus for us to thoroughly re-examine our company’s history in detail through a major independent study,” says Tina Müller, “and, of course, we will make the results accessible to everyone.” Weleda plans to publish the new, comprehensive study by the GuG upon its completion, likely in early 2027.

Yvonne Samaritani
Group Corporate Communications Officer
Weleda AG I Dychweg 14 I CH-4144 Arlesheim
[email protected]│www.weleda.com