Understanding This Ethical Conundrum And Debunking Some Myths To Help You Make Informed Ethical Choices
by Pilar Bueno
For years, I wrongly assumed that if a product was Free of Animal Cruelty that it would, by default, not contain any animal ingredients. But more importantly so, I thought that an ethical Vegan product surely will not be causing unnecessary cruelty to animals by being tested on them.
Well, it shames me to say that I was horribly wrong. This caused me a considerable amount of distress, being an animal lover and passionate advocate for green living.
I have recently had several conversations on this particular topic, and given that we are celebrating World Vegan Month (click here for a list of UK events), I thought I would write this blog post in an effort to explain the differences and help you make informed purchasing decisions.
It is refreshing and very encouraging to see the huge movement towards a plant-based diet (the number of vegans in the UK has risen by 350% in the last 10 years / 600% in the US in the last 3 years!) and the growing public awareness about the animal suffering involved in trials for commercial products. The sad reality is that millions of animals around the world are suffering horrific experiments and death so that we humans can feel and look better when in reality, there is no real need to test on animals! There are currently available modern testing alternatives that are humane, faster, cheaper and more predictive for humans.
But the point is that whether your reasons for buying ethical products are for Health, Environment, Animal Welfare or all of the above, you should be clear how you're spending your money and certain that you are not, inadvertently, continue funding and supporting companies that test (or pay others to test) on animals. Let me try then to shine some light on the different terms and help clarify some areas of confusion.
Cruelty-Free
But the point is that whether your reasons for buying ethical products are for Health, Environment, Animal Welfare or all of the above, you should be clear how you're spending your money and certain that you are not, inadvertently, continue funding and supporting companies that test (or pay others to test) on animals. Let me try then to shine some light on the different terms and help clarify some areas of confusion.
Cruelty-Free
According to the Oxford dictionary, cruelty-free means that is "(of cosmetics or other commercial products) manufactured or developed by methods that do not involve experimentation on animals".
What does exactly “Not Tested On Animals” means?
In its true sense, it means that the finished product is NOT tested on animals at any stage of its production.
It also means that the ingredients and raw materials supplied have also not been tested on animals.
And finally, that the company does not pay a third party to carry out tests on animals on their behalf.
Beware however that some brands claim that they don’t test on animals UNLESS the law requires them to do so, as it is the case in China. Companies that fall under this category are NOT certified by Leaping Bunny or PETA.
In 80% of countries, it is still legal to test on animals.
In China, however, it is a legal requirement, i.e. it is compulsory for animal testing to be conducted before any cosmetic products can be sold in their country.
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission do NOT require animal testing for household products or cosmetics, BUT the practice of animal testing is still legal in this country, as it is the case also in Canada.
In Europe, a new EU law implemented on 11th March 2009, placed a ban on animal testing of cosmetic ingredients within the EU and since March 2013, it has been illegal to sell animal-tested cosmetics, even if the testing has been done outside of Europe. However, there are limitations to that ban, for instance, the ban does not apply to worker's safety tests. Cruelty Free International does not agree with the narrow interpretation of the law and is challenging it with the support of The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE).
Whilst the EU ban on animal testing is a massive step forward in the right direction, lets not forget that animals are STILL suffering intolerable cruelty as the 2006 REACH Regulation (the world's largest chemical testing programme) requires chemical companies to report health effects and environmental hazards of almost every chemical used in Europe, demanding results from tests on animals.
Cruelty Free International and ECEAE continue campaigning for humane and modern testing methods, more progressive legislation whilst encouraging companies to go cruelty-free.
Is there a legal requirement for animal testing to be carried out on cosmetic and personal care products?
In 80% of countries, it is still legal to test on animals.
In China, however, it is a legal requirement, i.e. it is compulsory for animal testing to be conducted before any cosmetic products can be sold in their country.
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission do NOT require animal testing for household products or cosmetics, BUT the practice of animal testing is still legal in this country, as it is the case also in Canada.
In Europe, a new EU law implemented on 11th March 2009, placed a ban on animal testing of cosmetic ingredients within the EU and since March 2013, it has been illegal to sell animal-tested cosmetics, even if the testing has been done outside of Europe. However, there are limitations to that ban, for instance, the ban does not apply to worker's safety tests. Cruelty Free International does not agree with the narrow interpretation of the law and is challenging it with the support of The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE).
Whilst the EU ban on animal testing is a massive step forward in the right direction, lets not forget that animals are STILL suffering intolerable cruelty as the 2006 REACH Regulation (the world's largest chemical testing programme) requires chemical companies to report health effects and environmental hazards of almost every chemical used in Europe, demanding results from tests on animals.
Cruelty Free International and ECEAE continue campaigning for humane and modern testing methods, more progressive legislation whilst encouraging companies to go cruelty-free.
If Animal testing is illegal in the E.U., does it mean that all cosmetic brands sold in Europe are Cruelty-Free?
This is certainly not the case. Any cosmetic company that operates in Europe but still sells its products in countries where the animal testing band does not operate could still be commissioning tests or carrying out tests themselves on animals, and therefore their brands are not certified as being cruelty-free. If in doubt, double check.
If a product has a "Bunny" on its label or claims they don't test on animals - is it Cruelty-Free?
You would think that is the case but not necessarily so. A company may claim its brands to be cruelty-free but it might only refer to the finished product and does not take into consideration that the product ingredients have been tested during the product development phase by a third party company or its ingredient supplier.
Do all "Bunnies" displayed on products denote Cruelty-Free status?
This is very misleading and unfortunately not the case always.
Companies have designed their own bunny logos and claimed to be cruelty-free by abiding by their own standards of cruelty-free, without being affiliated with an official animal protection organisation. This doesn't mean that they are not cruelty-free, but you will have to do your own research and ask the right questions.
To help with this situation, The Leaping Bunny Logo was created by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) – a group of eight national animal protection groups promoting a single comprehensive standard and an internationally recognised Logo.
To buy with confidence and make shopping for animal-friendly products easier look out for the three trustworthy bunny logos: PETA, Cruelty Free International and Choose Cruelty-Free. Any other bunny logos are NOT official and NOT accredited by a reputable cruelty-free organisation.
To complicate matters further, I am afraid you will find that not all companies certified by Leaping Bunny or PETA display their logos on their products, as they are required to pay extra to do so. Remember that you can always check their databases directly.
PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation is the largest animal rights organisation in the world. They focus their work in areas where most animal suffering occurs: laboratories, food industry, clothing trade and entertainment.
Check out its very large database of cruelty-free companies and see below their identifying "Beauty without Bunnies" logos.
It is the leading organisation working to end animal experimentation worldwide.
You could reasonably argue that their Leaping Bunny Logo Certification is more rigorous than that of PETA and therefore more reliable. This is so because, in addition to requesting a written agreement from the companies that they do not test on animals, they conduct independent audits to validate their claims.
Choose Cruelty-Free
"An independent non-profit organisation based in Australia that advocates for the rights of animals who live with us, not for us”.
Vegan
A Vegan product, in the generic sense of the word, is one that does not contain any animal product or animal-derived ingredients, such as beeswax, gelatin, honey, lanolin, collagen, albumen, yoghurt, etc.
Do you think you can spot an animal-derived ingredient on a label?
I think you will be surprised. For example, did you know that Carmine (also referred to as cochineal or crimson)
It is prepared from some scale insects, such as the cochineal, by boiling dried insects in water to extract the carminic acid (an acid produced to repel predators) and then treating the solution with alum. I bet some of you ladies didn’t know you had been "eating bugs" all this time...
Or did you know that Ambergris is a waxy substance secreted in the intestines of sperm whales that is used in perfume manufacture as a fixative?
If you want to know more, check out Peta’s website for a list of animal-derived ingredients.
It is prepared from some scale insects, such as the cochineal, by boiling dried insects in water to extract the carminic acid (an acid produced to repel predators) and then treating the solution with alum. I bet some of you ladies didn’t know you had been "eating bugs" all this time...
Cochineal bug (Dactylopius coccus)
Ground up Cochineal insect, the source of red dye
Or did you know that Ambergris is a waxy substance secreted in the intestines of sperm whales that is used in perfume manufacture as a fixative?
If you want to know more, check out Peta’s website for a list of animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan versus Cruelty-Free: Understanding the differences
Let's consider the scenarios you can come across and what they really mean:
CRUELTY-FREE but NOT VEGAN
The product is not tested on animals but it contains some animal-derived ingredients, for instance, milk.
CRUELTY-FREE and VEGAN
The product has NOT been tested on Animals and contains NO animal ingredients or derivatives.
VEGAN but NOT CRUELTY-FREE (!)
This is the scenario that, to me, it was inconceivable and caused me a real moral dilemma becoming the main point of this article.
The situation boils down simply to the definition or understanding of the term "Vegan". Whilst some may consider a product vegan because it does not contain animal product or any animal derivatives, others may adhere to a more strict definition, such as the Vegan Society, where the product must NOT have been tested on animals, in line with their definition of Veganism: " a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms, it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."
As a result, a product may be "advertised" as Vegan or not, depending on what the company that sells it considers to be “vegan”.
Short of doing your own research on each individual company’s ethos, you can rely on the 3 main Vegan societies mentioned below and their strict certification rules which insist and demand the company products, ingredients and raw materials are NOT tested on animals at any stage during their production and that no third party conducts animal testing on their behalf.
By the way, “Accidental Vegan products” (i.e. unintentionally vegan) products” fall under this category, because whilst they contain no animal ingredients or by-products they could have been tested on animals.
Look out for these trustworthy Vegan Trademarks to buy authentic Vegan products.
VEGAN SOCIETY
EUROPEAN VEGETARIAN UNION
The V-Label is the symbol for Vegan and Vegetarian products you will most likely come across in Europe. Their registered symbol is however internationally recognised.
What You Can Do
Whilst they only certify companies in the United States, US territories, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, their Certified Vegan Logo trademark is distributed and recognized worldwide.
EUROPEAN VEGETARIAN UNION
The V-Label is the symbol for Vegan and Vegetarian products you will most likely come across in Europe. Their registered symbol is however internationally recognised.
What You Can Do
I know it can be confusing, misleading and at times incredibly frustrating to try to decipher what they are trying to sell us. And I haven't even touched on the subject of what other certifications mean (Bio, Organic, Eco, free of GMO, Organic Soil Association, etc) or how to read and understand the often unpronounceable product ingredients lists. More on this soon so don't forget to sign up below to our blog for further updates.
You may be thinking it is all too much effort, but the reality is that the choices you make when you spend your hard earn cash don’t just affect you; they have a wider effect on other people, animals and our whole planet. By choosing to shop ethically and in an eco-friendly way, you are taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing and saying to the big businesses that you expect transparency and ethics over profits and demand more ethical products to become mainstream.
I hope this blog has helped to clarify things a bit. But don't forget that there are lots of things you can do if you want to help to build a brighter future for you and your family:
1# Look out for products that display the certified logos. But remember that cruelty-free certification is done on a voluntary basis so not all cruelty-free companies display a certified logo.
2# Consult ready-made lists of ethical companies that have already been compiled. Cruelty-Free Kitty has an updated list of cruelty-free brands. The helpful search system allows you to be more selective and look out for Vegan, Organic, Palm oil-free companies.
3# Do your own research, if unsure, and share your findings if you can please. I, for once, will love to know more so please don't hesitate to get in touch.
4# Contact the company, if you are still not sure about the ethical stand and ask them:
* Are their products or ingredients tested on animals
* Do any third party companies carry out tests on their behalf
* Do they sell their products in China? (in which case they DO test on animals)
* Are their products or ingredients tested on animals
* Do any third party companies carry out tests on their behalf
* Do they sell their products in China? (in which case they DO test on animals)
5# Boycott the brand if they test on animals.
6# Reach out to companies that test on animals and tell them how you feel. Remember that companies are driven by profits and if enough people voice their concerns they will have no choice but to listen. And if you don’t know where to start with your email/ letter, Cruelty-Free Kitty has kindly drafted a letter that you can use here7# Get actively involved to stop animal suffering:
For starters, you can sign PETA's action alert petition to urge the European Commission and the European Chemicals Agency to uphold the ethical and moral values of the Cosmetics Regulation and NEVER allow animal testing for cosmetic ingredients.
The Cruelty-Free International campaign is also hard at work raising support for the Humane Cosmetic Act to be passed in the USA to put an end to all this unnecessary suffering, cruelty and death. If you can, please sign their petition, share the information, donate or get involved in any way you can.
The Cruelty-Free International campaign is also hard at work raising support for the Humane Cosmetic Act to be passed in the USA to put an end to all this unnecessary suffering, cruelty and death. If you can, please sign their petition, share the information, donate or get involved in any way you can.
8# Make your Ethical Shopping easier with the FREE Apps for Smartphones from Leaping Bunny, PETA and Choose Cruelty-Free. And download one of the many Vegan apps currently available, such as VeGuide, Is It Vegan? or Happy Cow
9# Just because it is Cruelty-Free and Vegan doesn't mean that the product is free of toxic chemicals. Make sure you read the list of ingredients and know how to spot dangerous chemicals. Consider all aspects of your life and look at ways you can improve your health and that of our planet by removing toxic chemicals out of your day to day life.
VIDDA has published a 5-part book entitled Green Up Your Life, which is an introductory guide to help you transition to a more natural and eco-friendly way of living, covering topics such as your Home, Medicine, Beauty, Period and Baby and proving that it is Simple, Easy and Cheap to go Green. You can buy your copy below.
If you have found this article interesting and useful, please like, comment and share the information. Help to empower others to make good ethical choices. After all, it is much easier to change the world when there are more people trying to!
VIDDA has published a 5-part book entitled Green Up Your Life, which is an introductory guide to help you transition to a more natural and eco-friendly way of living, covering topics such as your Home, Medicine, Beauty, Period and Baby and proving that it is Simple, Easy and Cheap to go Green. You can buy your copy below.
Thank you
Pilar Bueno
Pilar Bueno
#BeSmart #BeKind #BeCrueltyFree #CompassionateShopping #BeautyWithoutCruelty #StopAnimalTesting #NaturalCosmetics #ToxicFree #GreenLiving #HealthyLiving #CrueltyFree #Vegan #GreenUpYourLife #StopAnimalSuffering #Veganism #Mindfulness
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