FOREVER AGAINST ANIMAL TESTING

WE DID IT! CANADA HAS BANNED COSMETIC ANIMAL TESTING.

In 2017, as part of our global Forever Against Animal Testing campaign, we worked to advance legislation, alongside our partner Cruelty Free International and a committed alliance of advocacy organizations and industry partners.

OUR CANADIAN CAMPAIGN

As an activist brand, we implemented an aggressive, ambitious push to ban cosmetic animal testing in Canada. This effort involved several years of petition collecting and government relations tactics at both a federal and municipal level with the support of our passionate retail employees and customers. We hosted and participated at national pet events, presented more than 926,000 store-collected petitions to local MPs on our designated Day of Activism and to Parliament Hill during our "Pet March" protest in Ottawa. Leaders within our business also met with key staff in the Minister of Health's office and other government officials, including skeptics of the legislation.

On December 22, 2023, Canada celebrated Bill C-47 coming into effect, banning cosmetic animal testing in Canada, forever. Watch our campaign journey below.

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WHAT IS ANIMAL TESTING IN COSMETICS?

According to Cruelty Free International, over 500,000 animals may be used in cosmetic animal testing worldwide, every single year. Alternative testing options exist that would allow neither animals or consumers to suffer, and in fact, non-animal tests are often more effective, more reliable and faster, proving that animal cruelty is an unnecessary evil. That’s why we’re fighting to wipe out animal testing in cosmetics for good, so animals no longer have to suffer for our beauty.

HOW WE TEST OUR PRODUCTS

Our products undergo extensive testing to ensure they’re safe, effective and animal-friendly. We use three main testing methods involving computer data and laboratory-created tissues. All cosmetics companies can adopt these kinds of animal-friendly testing methods.

1.

In-silico (computer-based) analysis uses readily available, existing data to help us to assess the suitability of similar materials through extrapolation.

2.

Laboratory-produced skin is grown from human skin cells. It allows us to conduct safety checks on cells that react in virtually the same way as human skin, without harming any people or animals.

3.

Finally, to ensure good tolerance on people, we will often test our products using patch testing. This involves placing a very small amount of product on a person's skin to ensure that it is safe and effective, usually at the final stage of testing a new formula.

4.

We will also carry out controlled user trials where people test our products for both skin compatibility and cosmetic effectiveness, under the supervision of medical experts when required.

We couldn't have done it without you. Congratulations Canadian changemakers, we did it!

THE LATEST FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Since presenting our petition to the UN in 2018, countries around the world are taking steps to change their policies on animal testing in cosmetics, will the full support of our local teams.

AUSTRALIA

The Australian government has ended its reliance on new animal test data for ingredients in cosmetics.

NEW YORK, USA

The Cruelty Free Cosmetic Act has been signed into law!

TAIWAN

Cosmetic animal testing restrictions have come into force.

CHINA

Regulators have launched consultations on an animal testing waiver for imported, non-special use cosmetics. Bulldog has become the first international brand to sell in China as part of the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny pilot programme.

VIRGINIA, USA

The Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act has passed the Senate.

HAWAII, USA

The Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act has passed the House and moves on to the Senate for consideration.

NEVADA, USA

The Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act has been signed into law!

ILLINOIS, USA

The Illinois Humane Cosmetics bill has been signed into law!

CALIFORNIA, USA

The Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act has been signed into law!

MARYLAND, USA

The Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act has passed the Senate moves to the House for consideration.

MEXICO

In 2021, the Mexican senate passed legislation banning testing cosmetics on animals, including the marketing and import of cosmetics that have previously been tested on animals in other countries. The bill now awaits approval from the lower house of the Mexican Congress.

USA

The new federal Humane Cosmetics Act has been introduced in the US House and the US Senate, to end animal testing in cosmetics across the entire United States.