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You’d think deciding to go cruelty free with the products you use would be easy, because it should be, but as more people become interested in cruelty free products, more brands are finding ways to get around disclosing their true activities. Whether its cute bunny logos printed onto their products, or using words and phrasings to skirt around the truth, heres how to tell if a product is really cruelty free.
First of all, cruelty free isn’t the thing to be looking for. There is no legal standard or definition as to what this means, making it really easy for companies to simply say ‘We’re cruelty free!’, and be done with it. Instead, ask direct questions. Do you test on animals? Do you hire people to test your products on animals?
Even this can be tricky though, because if a company tells you their product isn’t tested on animals, that doesn’t mean the ingredients they use in their products aren’t. It also doesn’t mean that the company as a whole doesn’t test on animals.
There are also the companies that state they do not agree, or conduct, animal testing, unless required by law. This is an easy way out for brands, because if they sell products in mainland China, their products are tested by Chinese officials. So no, THEY don’t test on animals, but they are allowing it to happen.
In order to ensure the products you use are cruelty free, and not tested on animals at any point in their creation, ask brands direct questions. Asking ‘Do you, anyone you hire, or anyone you are involved with, test any of your products, or the ingredients within them, on animals?’ is the best question you can ask a company, to cover all corners, and not give them any loophole space.
Checking the cruelty free logos on products is also hugely helpful. There are certified cruelty free bunny logos, easily found online so you know what to look for, that have legitimacy. In order to have one on their products, they much meet set criteria, commit to their no animal testing policy by signing a pledge, and show proof to the issuing organisations.
It can be tricky to ensure products haven’t harmed animals at any point in their creation, but its worth checking out, and the more people do it, the more pressure will be put on companies to go cruelty free, saving many animals from lives full of trauma and distress.