Unilever joins battle to end global animal testing in cosmetics

By Becky Bargh 9-Oct-2018

As part of its Sustainable Living Plan the beauty giant has partnered with Humane Society International to end animal testing by 2023

Unilever joins battle to end global animal testing in cosmetics

Beauty giant Unilever has announced its support for Human Society International’s #BeCrueltyFree initiative to ban animal testing in cosmetics.

Together the companies will campaign for regulatory acceptance of modern, non-animal testing methods, which it hopes to achieve by 2023 in 50 major beauty markets, including Asia.

Through the partnership, Unilever will also invest in the training of future safety scientists for non-animal testing risk assessment.

Commenting on the collaboration, David Blanchard, Unilever’s Chief Research and Development Officer said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Humane Society International to bring the era of cosmetics animal testing to an end and would welcome other companies, regulators and other interested stakeholders that want to join this important initiative.”

The beauty business has also been recognised for its efforts by non-profit organisation PETA - which works for ethical treatment of animals - and will now be listed as a company that is ‘working for regulatory change’ instead of being labelled as a company that tests on animals.

Meanwhile, body and hair care brand Dove - one of the firm’s major beauty labels - has received accreditation from PETA as a cruelty-free brand.

A spokesperson for Unilever added: “We’re really excited about these steps we’re taking towards getting to a point in which there is no animal testing for cosmetics.”

The firm also launched its first beauty brand in 20 years Love Beauty and Planet in July, which is vegan-friendly and equipped with easy peel labels designed to be removed from bottles to help with recycling.

Human Society International’s VP for Research and Toxicology, Troy Seidle, praised Unilever for its efforts to ban animal testing around the world: “Every company will tell you it supports alternatives to animals testing for cosmetics, but Unilever is the first of the beauty giants to throw its weight behind banning it altogether.

“With hundreds of thousands of animals still used in toxicology tests for cosmetic purposes each year around the world, Unilever is to be commended for standing with Humane Society International to end this cruelty one and for all.”

The announcement comes hot on the heels that The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International garnered more than eight million signatures for its Forever Against Animal Testing petition, which was last week delivered to the UN headquarters in New York, US.

The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International campaigners outside UN headquarters, New York, US

The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International campaigners outside UN headquarters, New York, US

Despite its efforts, Unilever has received criticism from Greenpeace for its use of unethical palm oil for brand ingredients in Indonesia.

Today, there are a number of markets that already have bans against testing on animals for cosmetics in place including the EU, Norway, Israel, India Sign up for your free email newsletter

Companies

Subscribe

Featured Companies

Related Content

Unilever calls for increased inclusivity for disabled community in advertising
Unilever calls for increased inclusivity for disabled community in advertising
Animal testing: Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics ECI gets European Parliament hearing
Animal testing: Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics ECI gets European Parliament hearing
Animal testing: 35-plus cosmetics players join forces to push for animal-free methods globally
Animal testing: 35-plus cosmetics players join forces to push for animal-free methods globally
Year in review: 2022’s biggest beauty stories and headlines
Year in review: 2022’s biggest beauty stories and headlines
Why the war in Ukraine is a setback for sustainability
Why the war in Ukraine is a setback for sustainability
Unilever weighs in on ‘backwards slide’ in animal testing
Unilever weighs in on ‘backwards slide’ in animal testing
Top Jamaican beauty pageant calls time on skin bleachers
Top Jamaican beauty pageant calls time on skin bleachers
Australian beauty retailer Mecca triumphs in make-up war with Hourglass Cosmetics
Australian beauty retailer Mecca triumphs in make-up war with Hourglass Cosmetics
New Jersey bill to ban animal testing for cosmetics receives overwhelming support
New Jersey bill to ban animal testing for cosmetics receives overwhelming support
MEPs vote to phase-out the use of animals in research and testing
MEPs vote to phase-out the use of animals in research and testing
Unilever ramps-up fight for cruelty free cosmetics in Europe
Unilever ramps-up fight for cruelty free cosmetics in Europe
Mexico makes history to become first North American country to ban cosmetics testing on animals
Mexico makes history to become first North American country to ban cosmetics testing on animals
Dove and The Body Shop join forces to call upon consumers to fight for cruelty-free cosmetics in Europe
Dove and The Body Shop join forces to call upon consumers to fight for cruelty-free cosmetics in Europe
A Plastic Planet calls for ban of single-use beauty sample sachets
A Plastic Planet calls for ban of single-use beauty sample sachets
Beauty brands accuse ECHA of undermining testing ban on animals in public statement
Beauty brands accuse ECHA of undermining testing ban on animals in public statement