How to Shop Cruelty Free on the British High Street and Supermarkets

Lots of shops on the Great British high street have launched cosmetic lines from Next to New Look. It’s hard to know what’s cruelty free and what isn’t with so much on offer, but below is a list of well-known brands and there animal testing policies. Please be aware that this list regards own brand products not third party brands which these retailers supply!

Brands marked with a ✓ are certified cruelty free. Brands marked with a ? represents companies whose policies are vague and not certified as cruelty free.

New Look ?

“We believe that animal testing for cosmetic purposes isn’t acceptable. We recognise that customer safety is of paramount importance, but also that this can be assured without the use of animal testing. We will not conduct, commission, or be party to any animal testing of cosmetic products, or ingredients, or raw materials. We will never knowingly purchase ingredients, formulations or products from suppliers who have conducted, commissioned or been party to animal testing for cosmetics purposes on these products after the company’s internal fixed cut-off date. Occasionally we may use animal derived ingredients in our cosmetic products, but these must be collected without harm to animals.”

New Look is not certified cruelty free, and they have stores in China. In China, animal testing is required by law so it looks as though this company is not entirely free from animal testing.

Topshop ?

Topshop’s cosmetics are supplied by Arcadia Cosmetics. The Arcadia group’s testing policy is as follows:

“All suppliers are required to sign up to our animal welfare declaration as part of our Code of Conduct. Our internet-based test report system automatically reminds suppliers of our animal welfare policy when they are asked to supply goods made from animal sources. Arcadia Group branded cosmetics, and their ingredients, must not be tested on animals.”

Topshop is not certified cruelty free and there has been some dispute around this issue amongst the cruelty free beauty blog community. Last year it was announced that Topshop is expected to open up in China so I’m not happy to decide whether their cosmetics are cruelty free or not.

Marks & Spencer ✓

M&S is certified cruelty free and BUAV approved, and the Leaping Bunny logo is marked on their products. M&S holds high standards against animal testing.

Primark ?

“Primark does not conduct and does not commission any animal testing. Our terms of trade with suppliers make it clear that cosmetic products and their ingredients must not be tested on animals.”

Primark is not certified as being cruelty free, and the policy is very vague. This company has a sketchy ethos in general so it is unclear currently whether their cosmetics are tested on animals.

Argos ✓

“A multi-channel retailer selling general merchandise and products for the home from over 700 stores throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, online and over the telephone. Argos own-brand cosmetics and personal care ranges are certified free from animal testing.”

Cruelty free international approved!

Sainsburys ✓

“We are committed to animal welfare and our policy on animal testing is an essential aspect of this commitment.  In March 2011 Sainsbury’s became members of the Humane Cosmetics Standard. The Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) is an internationally recognised standard that guarantees for consumers that products and the ingredients used are free from animal testing since an agreed fixed cut off date. Sainsbury’s have not commissioned any animal testing for cosmetic products or their ingredients since before 1996 when the Humane Cosmetics Standard was first launched.  Animal testing is also associated with some household products and we insist that our suppliers do not commission any animal testing on these products or the ingredients that are used in them.”

Sainsbury’s was the first British supermarket to have all of their own brand submitted and certified cruelty free by BUAV.

Asda ✓

“At Asda, we don’t test any of our own brand beauty, toiletry or household products on animals. In fact, we haven’t tested any of the ingredients in our cosmetics products on animals since 31st December 2009, or cleaning products since 31st of April 2015.”

Asda are currently subscribed to FRAME – Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments.

Morrisons ✓

“All Morrisons own brand personal care and cosmetic products (including things like shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste) are certified as ‘not tested on animals’ by the Cruelty Free International Humane Cosmetics Standard, symbolised by the Leaping Bunny logo.”

Co-op ✓

“No toiletries or household products from The Co-operative’s own brand range have been tested on animals for decades. The Co-operative has always been a leader in its own quiet way. The very roots of the business were revolutionary when it set out to create value for customers in a world that seemed consumed by greed. Over the decades it has led the way in doing the right thing by its customers, its members, and just as important – its suppliers. Since 1985 , no Co-operative own-brand toiletries or their ingredients have been tested on animals, that’s long before it became fashionable for businesses to take a caring stance. This position was extended when the business ensured that there were no ingredients or products tested on animals in its household product range. This has been the case since 1997. For The Co-operative this wasn’t a choice driven by fashion, but one driven by its members and customers who mandated that animal testing should be avoided in household and toiletry products. It’s in recognition of its outstanding work that The Co-operative was the first UK supermarket to be certified by Cruelty Free International (CFI) for both toiletries and household products. You’ll see their leaping bunny logo on all Co-operative toiletries and household products – it’s your short cut indicator that the products are CFI approved and not tested on animals.”