Ending cosmetics testing around the world
We’re changing the world
Largest global campaign
Cruelty Free International is at the forefront of the largest global campaign dedicated to ending the use of animals to test cosmetics and other consumer products throughout the world. Our highly experienced and passionate team has made real progress around the globe for the countless animals suffering in cruel tests for cosmetics through our positive, innovative and often trailblazing approach.
With over eight million voices backing our pledge for a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics, we are creating momentum for an end to cruel cosmetics around the world.
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Cruelty Free International CEO Michelle Thew speaks at our briefing event for legislators at the US Congress in Washington DC. -
Cruelty Free International North America Campaign Manager, Monica Engebretson, meets with Canadian MP Elizabeth May to launch a citizen petition to call for an end to cosmetics testing on animals in Canada. -
Frank Alarcon, Cruelty Free International Brazil Campaign Manager, with Luisa Mell and Deputy Ricardo Izar, campaigning for a ban on animal testing for cosmetics in Brazil. -
Alternatives to animal testing training programme in Vietnam for government scientists, funded by Cruelty Free International. -
Dr Nick Palmer, Cruelty Free International Director of Policy, meets with leading Chinese scientist Dr He Zheng Ming to discuss ending animal testing for cosmetics in China. -
Dr Nick Palmer, Cruelty Free International Director of Policy and Hyung Ju Lee, Cruelty Free International East Asia Campaign Manager with MP Moon campaigning for a ban on animal testing in Korea. -
Cruelty Free International and MP Moon campaigning for a ban on animal testing for cosmetics in Korea. -
Anastasia Komagina, Cruelty Free International Russia Campaign Manager with Director of Policy Dr Nick Palmer and Russian politician Mr Shingarkin discussing steps to ending animal testing for cosmetics in Russia. -
Cruelty Free International CEO Michelle Thew with US Congressman Jim Moran, author of the first Humane Cosmetics Act, at the Congressional briefing on the bill organised by Cruelty Free International in coordination with the Congressman.
Around the world
Forever Against Animal Testing
We want to end the cruel practice of animal testing in cosmetics. Forever. Everywhere.
In 2017, together with our friends at The Body Shop, we launched our Forever Against Animal Testing campaign, working towards a global end to animal tested cosmetics.
On 4th October 2018, World Animal Day, we took 8.3 million signatures against cosmetic animal testing to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. This was the biggest animal protection petition in history and the second largest petition to be received by the UN. Our joint effort is part of the most ambitious campaign ever against cosmetic animal testing and has inspired action from businesses, governments and citizens all over the world.
The petition signatures, collected from supporters around the world in just 15 months, have helped reinvigorate the campaign and have reached new countries, inspiring more cruelty free cosmetics legislation.
Our work in China
In 2014, just two years after we first set up our China Task Force bringing together leading cosmetics companies, scientists and regulators, China started to accept registration by companies of most domestically produced cosmetics without requiring submission to the authorities. Instead, companies were required to do their own safety testing, which could use non-animal methods. Following this change, we organised a major scientific summit in Shanghai in partnership with the Chinese Environmental Mutagen Society, bringing together 40 leading researchers to discuss progress in the development of non-animal methods and spread knowledge of their wide availability.
Our pioneering Leaping Bunny pilot project in China launched in 2018. The project was designed to explore cruelty free routes for Leaping Bunny approved cosmetics companies to sell in China where, at the time, mandatory animal testing was still required on imported finished products.
By partnering with Knudsen&Co and Fengpu Industrial Park in the Shanghai district, our project helped to remove the remaining barriers of entry. As well as our partners in China, the scheme was discussed with representatives from the UK Department of International Trade.The following years saw significant change in China, and a waiver of mandatory animal testing came into force there as of 1st May 2021. According to the Chinese regulator, the NMPA, this means that imported goods classed as “general cosmetics” do not need to be tested on animals as long as they have been made according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and have a full Safety Assessment report. Companies will need a GMP certificate issued by the government in the country where the products are made.
It’s great that Chinese consumers will soon also be able to purchase cruelty free cosmetics, knowing that products are safe and of great quality, without the need for animal testing.
We grow our work in Australia
In June 2021, we were excited to welcome Australian organisation, Choose Cruelty Free (CCF), into the Cruelty Free International global family. CCF was an independent non-profit organisation offering cruelty free approval to cosmetics, toiletries and household cleaning brands in Australia. The merger supports the growing interest from Australian consumers in cruelty free products and from brands in Australia in obtaining Leaping Bunny approval. All companies currently approved and licensed by CCF have been given the opportunity and support to transition to Leaping Bunny approval.
The move came as the Australian Government’s Industrial Chemicals Bills came into force, including measures to prohibit reliance on new animal test data for chemicals introduced into Australia for sole use as ingredients in cosmetics. We hope that growing the Leaping Bunny programme in Australia will contribute to strengthening and deepening the legislation in the near future.