Unilever leads Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Overall score of 82%

This year, the company reached an overall score of 82% - one percentage point higher than in 2009 and substantially ahead of the average industry score of 49%. Unilever scored 100% for its record in Operational Eco-Efficiency, Environmental Policy, Environmental and Social reporting, Health and Nutrition, and Packaging.

These scores are the result of an annual review of the broad range of DJSI benchmarks, which include World and European categories. Analysts assess issues such as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labour practices - with a strong focus on long-term shareholder value.

"I am delighted that we have retained our place at the top of the Dow Jones league table. The consistency of our performance over the past twelve years is remarkable, and a unique achievement among more than 300 companies in the DJSI World sample," says Gavin Neath, SVP Sustainability.

The 2010 assessment was conducted by SAM, a Swiss investment company focused exclusively on sustainability investing, in partnership with the Dow Jones Indexes.

http://www.sustainability-indexes.com

Media Contacts

Paul Matthews
UnileverPLC Media Relations Manager
paul.matthews@unilever.com
Tel: +44 (0)1372 945 925
Mob: +44 (0) 775 276 8888

Flip Dötsch
Unilever NVMedia Relations Manager
flip.dotsch@unilever.com
Tel: +31 (0)10 217 3715
Mob: +31 (0) 6 1137 5464

Safe harbour

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘believes’ or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, competitive pricing and activities, economic slowdown, industry consolidation, access to credit markets, recruitment levels, reputational risks, commodity prices, continued availability of raw materials, prioritisation of projects, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key customer relationships and supply chain sources, consumer demands, currency values, interest rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures, the ability to complete planned restructuring activities, physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of the Boards. Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group’s filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the 20-F Report and the Annual Report and Accounts 2009. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.