Cruelty Free International

Historically, almost every ingredient used in cosmetics has been tested on animals somewhere in the world, even water! Clearly, Primark cannot change history but, as a company, we are determined to help the world move away from animal testing, to show that beauty, safety and animal welfare can go hand in hand. 

What requirements have we met to become Leaping Bunny approved?

To become Leaping Bunny approved, we have obligated ourselves that neither we nor any of our suppliers and manufacturers may conduct, commission or be party to live animal tests for raw materials, ingredients or final products anywhere in the world, unless in some unavoidable cases (see for more details: https://crueltyfreeinternational.org/leaping-bunny/prohibitions-cosmetics-testing-eu-and-elsewhere) .

We have set up a continuous monitoring system to ensure our entire supply chain, including all our suppliers and manufacturers, comply with the Leaping Bunny criteria. This applies to our entire supply network, right down to ingredient manufacturers.  Without continuously monitoring the entire supply chain, there is no way of knowing if animal testing takes place and for Primark to be able to take action.

The criteria for Leaping Bunny go beyond any other statutory cosmetic testing bans in the world, including the bans in the EU Cosmetics Regulation. The EU Cosmetics Regulation forbids the placing on the market of cosmetic products:

• where the final formulation has been determined by animal testing in order to meet the requirements of the provisions of the EU Cosmetics Regulation; or

• containing ingredients or combinations of ingredients which have been determined by animal testing in order to meet the requirements of the provisions of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

The EU Cosmetics Regulation also forbids performance within the Community of animal testing of finished cosmetic products and of ingredients or combinations of ingredients in order to meet the requirements of the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Accordingly, the European Commission and the European Chemicals Agency maintain that animal tests for worker and environmental safety are not covered by the bans in the EU Cosmetics Regulation.  For more information, see https://echa.europa.eu/-/clarity-on-interface-between-reach-and-the-cosmetics-regulation.

In geographical terms, the prohibition only pertains to the European market and the placing of products on this market.

The Leaping Bunny Programme exceeds those requirements. For example, the Leaping Bunny criteria are not concerned with whether the nominal purpose of a test is consumer safety, worker safety or environmental safety and prohibit more animal testing.

There is no geographical limitation, meaning that all Primark own brand products in every country globally must comply with Leaping Bunny criteria. This includes all raw materials by trade name and ingredients (INCI), all of which are checked at least every 12 months for any new animal testing that may have taken place.

Our compliance with Leaping Bunny criteria, including our monitoring system, is subject to regular independent audits (outside of Cruelty Free International) to ensure continued compliance for all existing and new products.

What products can be Leaping Bunny approved?

In order to achieve Leaping Bunny approval, every single one of our own brand cosmetics and personal care products (not just some of our own brand products), in every single country we sell, must meet the criteria listed above.

For more information about Cruelty Free International, the Leaping Bunny programme and the criteria, please visit www.crueltyfreeinternational.org