The Fight for Cruelty-Free

 Fight for Cruelty-Free

Onekind is a charity that works to end cruelty to Scotland’s wildlife, pets and other animals through campaigns, research and education. One of the many issues in animal welfare is the use of animal testing for products. In this blog we aim to educate people about the importance of cruelty-free products and to highlight some that are available.

In this first post I will be discussing what animal testing is, which countries still allow animal testing, why it has historically been used and how we can change this. I’ll also talk about the difference between cruelty free and vegan products, as well as how to distinguish false cruelty-free products from reliable ones; finally I’ll tell you how you can join the fight against animal cruelty.

 

What is cruelty-free?

Animal testing can occur at many different stages of production. Cruelty-free products are not tested on animals at any stage in production.

• Ingredients are not tested on animals
• Finished products are not tested on animals 
• The company doesn’t work with others that test on animals on their behalf
• The company doesn’t sell products in countries where animal testing is required by the law, such as mainland China.

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When and where?

There is a long history of animal testing on products such as cosmetics, skincare, cleaning products, food additives and drugs. 

Animals frequently used in cosmetic testing include rabbits, mice, rats and guinea pigs. It is common for these animals to die during or after they are subject to testing.

Many countries such as Australia, India and New Zealand have banned animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients – this includes the UK since 1998. However, products that are tested on animals in other countries, where it is legal to do so, are still commonly sold in the UK.

In other countries such as the US, animal testing for cosmetics is still legal but not compulsory. Whereas in countries such as mainland China it is illegal not to test products on animals.

 

Why test on animals?

Animal testing is used to ensure the safety of a product or its ingredients for human use.

The ever-growing cosmetics industry regularly discovers new ingredients, all of which must be safe for human consumption.

 

Alternatives to animal testing

There are thousands of ingredients available to cosmetic companies that are known to be safe and therefore do not need to be tested on animals.

Furthermore, new advancements in technology allow products and their ingredients to be tested without the use of animals. This includes computer modelling, or in labs growing small cultures of human cells on microchips, which can mimic the reaction of human organs to products.

 

Vegan vs cruelty-free

Vegan products and cruelty-free cosmetics are often confused but are not the same. Vegan products don’t contain animals or ingredients produced by an animal, but still might be tested on animals. So vegan products are not necessarily cruelty-free.

 

Look for logos

The use of the term ‘cruelty free’ on products is not regulated, therefore products that claim to be cruelty free may still be tested on animals.

Searching for cruelty free products can be frustrating, as it is easy to be misled by false logos claiming no testing on animals is used. However, there are organisations that accurately certify cruelty-free products out there.

Three trustworthy logos to look out for are: 

• Caring consumer (certified by PETA)
• Leaping bunny (certified by Cruelty-Free International)
• CCF rabbit (certified by Choose Cruelty-free)

 

Joining the fight for cruelty-free

Animal testing is cruel and unnecessary and we all have a part to play in ending this practice. So what can you do to help?

Firstly, support brands whose products are cruelty-free. A lot of the time companies need an incentive to make an ethical change. The more companies profit from being cruelty free the more likely they are to not use animal testing on their products.

Secondly, joining campaigns and signing petitions against animal testing is a great way to get involved in the effort to stop animal testing.

Lastly, another important way to help is to educate yourself and others about animal testing laws and regulations, as well as cruelty-free brands to support.

 

I hope you enjoyed this first post, have learnt something about animal testing and are inspired to join the fight for a cruelty-free world. From next week onwards we will be reviewing different cruelty-free products. For more information about the work Onekind does to protect the welfare of Scottish domesticated animals and wildlife, follow our Instagram and Facebook page.