Beauty Giant Garnier Finally Goes Cruelty-Free
The major beauty brand has been awarded the leaping bunny cruelty-free certification.
Credit: PRNewsfoto/Garnier
Major beauty brand Garnier has been officially certified cruelty-free in a major move towards a world free from animal testing.
The brand has been given the stamp of approval under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny program.
To receive certification, a company’s ingredient suppliers must ensure that all stages of product development are free from animal testing. This involves rigorous investigation throughout the supply chain, including all raw material and individual ingredients.
For Garnier, this 18-month process meant securing a declaration from more than 500 suppliers, who source more than 3,000 different ingredients, from across the world.
“A real milestone”
"Garnier is a global brand familiar to us all. To work with them to help end animal testing for cosmetics and declare them officially approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny Program is a real milestone. It has taken many months, but Garnier have diligently reviewed every supplier and source and we are completely confident with the results," says Michelle Thew, Cruelty Free International CEO.
The beauty brand has also discontinued sales of its products in mainland China, where certain beauty brands require mandatory animal testing.
But there is progress for cruelty-free beauty in China, too - just this week, China announced an end to mandatory animal testing of imported ‘general’ cosmetics from May 1, 2021. The Leaping Bunny Program has called the move “major progress” but has emphasized that “there will still be lots (and lots) of steps to take for companies wishing to register and sell in China.”
Does this mean Garnier products are vegan?
Although the Leaping Bunny program guarantees that all Garnier products are free from animal testing, not all of their stock is vegan due to ingredients such as honey and beeswax.
The brand does however offer “vegan formulas” and have stated that they do have “exciting vegan blends in the pipeline.”
Cruelty Free International urge more L’Oréal Group brands to take a stand against animal testing
Although Garnier is now cruelty-free, their parent company L’Oréal does still test on animals where required by law.
“Garnier being approved under the Leaping Bunny program is an important gear shift for major cosmetics; and a step in the right direction towards meeting the European Parliament’s call for a worldwide ban on testing cosmetics on animals by 2023, a call which Cruelty Free International wholeheartedly supports,” Thew added. “It is the first of many L’Oréal Group brands and we urge more to step forward for Leaping Bunny approval.”
Want to learn more about ethical beauty? Check out our guide to ethical fashion and beauty, and find out if your favorite cosmetics are cruelty-free by using the Leaping Bunny shopping guide.
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The footage was reportedly recorded at Marshall BioResources in North Rose, New York, where up to 22,000 dogs - mostly beagles - are being bred for animal experimentation.