We are so PROUD this month to be collaborating with Choose Cruelty Free Australia to offer you an 100% CCF approved Vegan Beauty Box in our store.
Choose Cruelty Free (CCF) is an Australian non-profit actively campaigning to end cosmetics animal testing in Australia and worldwide. CCF certifies businesses that sell cosmetics, personal care and household products to Australian consumers that have not been tested on animals. Certified businesses are featured on the CCF List to empower consumers to make cruelty free purchases. The CCF List is freely available to consumers both in print, via the free CCF App or website. CCF believes that consumer education is the key to stop animal testing, and exists for that reason. Their aim is to arm you with the information you need to create change through choice.
Vegan vs Cruelty Free: Are they the same thing?
The term cruelty free is often confused with ‘vegan’, but they are very different. A product that is cruelty free does not necessarily equal the product being vegan.
The term cruelty free is defined as ‘not tested on animals’. Cruelty-free relates to animal experimentation and whether or not a product and its ingredients have been animal-tested. Vegan status relates to whether or not animal ingredients or derivatives are used. So whilst a finished product may be vegan, it and/or its ingredients may have been tested on animals. To be sure the brands you buy are vegan and cruelty-free, check the Choose Cruelty Free Vegan List.
As a consumer, what can you do to take action and support cruelty free consumerism?
Consumers are integral to the cruelty free movement. Here is what you can do:
- Use the CCF List: Support companies that are accredited as cruelty-free, and use the Choose Cruelty Free List as a valued resource via online, pocket list guide, the free mobile app or the printed list.
- Contact your favourite brands: In recent times we’ve seen a rise in the number of products marketed as “cruelty-free”. The market, as it always does, has responded to consumer demand. Unfortunately, anyone can make a claim that their products are cruelty-free, and/or use an unofficial logo, which can be misleading. While the business may not conduct any animal tests themselves, there is a chance the formulations and ingredients may have been tested by contract manufacturers or raw ingredient suppliers. Looking for certification from an independent body like Choose Cruelty Free to verify their claims is the best way forward. Consumers wield a lot of power in business so it is important for companies to hear directly from consumers. If you find a company that claims to not test their products on animals, but you can’t see them on the CCF List, take a few minutes to contact them via social media or email asking them why they are not accredited with Choose Cruelty Free. The animals can’t speak up, so we have to give them a voice.
- Reach out to your local MP: Write, email or phone your local MP and remind them that Australians want a comprehensive ban on the sale and importation of cosmetics – with no loopholes. Choose Cruelty Free’s work is far from done, and we need your actions to continue the fight for our lab animal friends.
- Show compassion: Compassion is one of CCF’s key values.
- Download our Student Education Booklet in PDF or email us to receive printed copies.
- Adopt your next pet.
- Support charities which don’t test on animals. The Humane Charities List is a guide to health-related charities that do not fund or engage in animal testing. By donating to any of the charities on this list, you will be directing vital funding towards organisations that do not fund animal testing. Follow the Humane Charities List here.
- Share your thoughts against animal testing on social media / have a conversation with a friend or family member about why this matters to you.
Together, we can create change through choice!