Natural and organic cosmetics pioneer Weleda has launched a new independent enquiry into its historic connection to the Dachau concentration camp.
The development follows publication of a new book – Die SS, die ökologische Landwirtschaft und die Naturheilkunde im KZ Dachau (The SS, Organic Farming and Naturopathy in the Dachau Concentration Camp) – by the historian Anne Sudrow.
Published on 8 September 2025 in Germany, the book reveals links between Dachau concentration camp and the Schwäbisch Gmünd branch of Weleda the Second World War. Weleda says it has commissioned further independent research “to establish the facts in full”.
In a statement on its website, Weleda says: “At Weleda, we condemn atrocities of the regime in Germany during the Second World War in the strongest possible terms. Hatred, antisemitism, racism, or extremist ideology have no place with us. Weleda is, and always must be, a place of humanity. “Never again” expresses our conviction.
“Weleda was founded in 1921 and has a long history. This includes the years of the Second World War, which brought unimaginable suffering across the world and represents the darkest chapter in our company’s own history, which we must acknowledge.
“We remember with deep compassion the many thousands of people who suffered or were murdered in Dachau concentration camp and at other sites of terror during those years. We have been shocked and saddened to learn of our company’s links, in any way, to those atrocities.
“We welcome further research to bring as much truth to light as possible, so that a clearer understanding can be reached.”
Commenting on the developments, Weleda CEO, Tina Müller, said: “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, CEO of Weleda. “And, of course, we will make the results accessible to everyone.”
Weleda has commissioned a comprehensive study by the Society for Corporate History (GUG), which will be published on completion, expected in early 2027.
Anne Sudrow’s two-volume study was commissioned by the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial and examines in detail connections between the SS, organic agricultural and naturopathy at the Dachau camp, including the SS-owned company “Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Ernährung und Verpflegung GmbH”, set up to cultivate and study medicinal and aromatic herbs with the aim of ending or limiting the Nazi state’s reliance on imported medicines and herbs.