Trying to be more conscientious about cruelty-free shopping? The Leaping Bunny logo labels cosmetic and household products that are developed and manufactured without the use of animal testing.
In 1966, an international network of animal protection groups joined together to form the Leaping Bunny label. To this day, it is one of the most reputable certification programs for cruelty-free cosmetic and household products.
Unlike in India, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, animal testing is not banned in the United States. It is perfectly legal for companies to test their cosmetic and household products on animals to determine their safety and their allergenic properties. So if you want to avoid that and you live in the USA, it’s even more important to specifically seek out the Leaping Bunny logo on products before you buy them.
Leaping Bunny Quick Facts
Issued: Worldwide
Granted by: Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) and European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE)
Category: Cosmetics & Household Products
Distribution: Medium
Utopia rating: Recommended
Leaping Bunny Criteria
Leaping Bunny is a very rigorous certification program for cosmetics that have not been tested on animals. The Leaping Bunny logo guarantees that the product itself was not tested on animals, and neither were any of the ingredients used to make it. All criteria of the label are summarized in the “Humane Cosmetics Standard” (HCS):
- The manufacturer may not test the certified product or individual ingredients on animals.
- Neither the manufacturer nor its parent or subsidiary companies may carry out animal testing on any of their products.
- Suppliers may not test the product on animals. They must also guarantee this in writing.
- The manufacturer must establish a control system to monitor compliance with the ban on animal testing.
- There are regular reviews of the control system by independent third parties.
In order to bear the logo, the company must fulfill the criteria by a set date of its own choosing.
Certification and Checks
The Leaping Bunny is one of the strictest labels for cruelty-free cosmetics. Its reputation is impeccable, and legitimate criticism of the label is virtually non-existent.
Still, it is important to know that ingredients derived from animals are permitted in products with the Leaping Bunny logo. So if you’re a vegan, you’ll still have to check the ingredients to see if that product is for you . Also, the label does not deal with ecological and social factors, which means that a product with the Leaping Bunny logo is not necessarily produced under fair conditions, or made with responsibly sourced ingredients. This is where other or additional labels are more helpful.
Alternatives to the Leaping Bunny Label
- The International Fair Trade Certification: The Fairtrade system certifies products that conform to standards which are intended “to address the imbalance of power in trading relationships, unstable markets, and the injustices of conventional trade.” You can learn more about how it works here.
- Vegan Certification: The Vegan Society and Vegan Action both certify products that are made without any animal products.
- The Rainforest Alliance: This international non-profit organization works to “protect forests, improve livelihoods of farmers and forest communities, promote their human rights, and help them mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.” Learn more on their website.
Utopia’s Evaluation
The Leaping Bunny label is a strict certification program for products that have not been tested on animals. Not only the manufacturer itself, but all other companies in the supply chain are not allowed to carry out animal testing, in any of their products. Even though ecological and social aspects are not taken into account, the Leaping Bunny logo offers consumers reliable information that can help them make responsible decisions. However, we recommend taking other factors into consideration as well when making purchasing decisions.
This article has been translated from German to English by Christie Sacco. You can read the original here: Leaping Bunny: Siegel für Produkte ohne Tierversuche
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