For the record... With great improvements in European Law with regard to animal welfare in the cosmetics industry, the RSPCA Good Business Awards stopped including Cosmetics businesses in the Awards after 2009. For the record though, 2009 winners and finalists are still highlighted in Good Things - we think they still deserve recognition. Please bear in mind that the products refer to summer 2010.
L'Oreal
L'Oréal is the world's largest beauty company. With that tag comes great responsibility and last year the judges of the RSPCA Good Business Awards recognised the cosmetics’ giant as a worthy finalist for its commitment to finding and advancing alternatives to animal testing.
Not only do they lead the way in the search for alternatives, they actively reduce the need for further animal testing by sharing this technology within the industry.
Find out more at www.loreal.co.uk
Advanced thinking
Over 100 scientists are working on areas for L’Oreal in advanced research, with half engaged in the processes of developing, producing and standardising alternatives to animal testing.
In 2007, 20 per cent of the businesses advanced research budget was invested in tissue engineering. As a result, there are currently three sectors for which alternative methods have been approved by law and have replaced animal testing.??L'Oréal has developed reconstructed skin and tissue models as alternative tests to animal experiments. Episkin (epidermis and skin) and SkinEthic are produced for the wider scientific community, not just L’Oreal, further reducing animal testing for cosmetics. And the research and development continues.
Brand manager
Think you know L’Oreal? Think again.
Their cosmetics, perfume, hair and skin care brand portfolio reads like a cosmetics show shopping list – that’s why their continued commitment to animal welfare improvement is so important.
Garnier, Maybelline, Redken, Lancome, Cacharel, Diesel, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, The Body Shop – just a few of the influential brands in the L’Oreal stable.
Did you know?
Since 2006, skin irritation and eye irritation by all L'Oréal's raw materials have always been assessed on Episkin and SkinEthic reconstructed systems and within L'Oréal, Episkin is used routinely to assess the skin tolerance of raw materials.??
The company is also developing, through various partnerships, other alternative methods by using advances in cellular and molecular biology.
24 comments
Loreal MUST TEST ON ANIMALS, otherwise they would be in the thorough recommended list by NATUREWATCH. They regard them as one of the BADDIES!!
Posted by: Ruth griffiths 3rd Jul 2010
I'm amazed at this, I'd always thought L'Oreal were one of the worst animal testers.
Posted by: angi beckett 20th Jul 2010
Since the EU ban comes into force in 2013, L'Oreal are being smart and forward thinking but they still do not have a fixed cut off date.
Posted by: Dawn Williams 23rd Jul 2010
I do not believe for a moment that L'oreal are cruelty free. Please see the naturewatch website. Recent figures from the Dr Hadwen Trust estimate that L'Oréal spend just 0.2% on average of global sales on replacing animals in testing. I cannot justify purchasing from the Body Shop either as I believe L'oreal owns this company. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Posted by: Jacqueline 24th Jul 2010
me too i thought L'Oreal were one of the worst..!
Posted by: cheekymonkey 24th Jul 2010
I have been boycoting their products as i believed they were one of the worst companies out there...
Posted by: elaine ackrill 24th Jul 2010
I am really surprised that L'Oreal does not agree with animal testing as I have not bought any of the L'Oreal products because of this. Does this mean that none of your products are tested on animals NOW? Or, will it be in the future?
Posted by: Pat Butterfield 24th Jul 2010
I also was under this impression.
Do you know some thing we don't, please tell.
It would be nice to hear that another company has mended their ways. I haven;t bought from this company for years.
If its true then it would pay them to let people know.
Posted by: carol 24th Jul 2010
Just because L'Oreal are currently funding initiatives in to areas where animal testing is required, does not mean they are not testing on animals at the moment.
L'Oreal are presently still testing on animals!
In my eyes this means they are not worthy of any such award or any nods towards ethical productivity until all animal testing in their laboratories and all products from their factories are properly cruelty free.
I am disappointed by your decision to praise them for this, as it will encourage people to keep using their products.
Posted by: Helen 24th Jul 2010
This is great news as I too thought they were one of the worst offenders and makes me feel better because I have been using their hair colour products for quite a while because nothing else suited. So I am very happy.
Posted by: Christine Betts 25th Jul 2010
I have already stopped supporting The Body Shop; BUAV because they support The Body Shop, and PETA because they support BUAV. If the RSPCA continues to be conned by L'Oreal, I shall withdraw my support from them as well, and channel my donations to Naturewatch - www.naturwatch.org - who see the TRUE side of rogue cosmetic companies. How can you compare L'Oreal and The Body Shop with the wonderful and ethical Lush company? Beats me!
Posted by: Margaret Keynes 25th Jul 2010
So did I! I've passed the news to some of the welfare groups dealing with vivisection and asked for their comments. I await their replies with interest.
Posted by: Tracy J Holroyd 25th Jul 2010
This is the 2nd comment I've made - perhaps R.S.P.C.A thought the first one unprintable! To show my horror at L'Oreal (how many millions of animals have they tortured to death, I wonder?) even being on the same website page, let alone being considered equal to the exquisite and anti-animal cruelty LUSH has prompted my resignation from the R.S.P.C.A, and my donations will now go to an honest anti-vivisection charity.
Posted by: Margaret Keynes 27th Jul 2010
I am still sceptical about this. They're so infamous for animal testing that I am boycotting their products.
Posted by: midori 28th Jul 2010
This is great news. However it doesn't actually state whether l'oreal have completely stopped testing on animals or whether they are just working hard to find alternatives. Im hoping that all their products are now not tested on animals?
Posted by: ella 28th Jul 2010
I am also amazed as L'oreal have never been included in Cruelty free cosmetic lists. It gives me hope however that things are really moving in the right direction
Posted by: Jennifer Williams 31st Jul 2010
Different people in every country receive the loans from different banks, just because that's simple.
Posted by: JAMIEPace24 1st Aug 2010
don't be amazed angi, they are making a very poor attempt to prevent animal suffering. they are still using harsh chemicals, still destroying innocent animals lives, and to think they are recieveing praise is enough to make me sick. if they didnt insit on caring so much about profit and filling their products with harmful chemicals animal testing wouldnt be necessary, they and the rspca should be ashamed of themselves
Posted by: lucy 2nd Aug 2010
Im also amazed i thought l'oreal tested, now i know they dont I;ll use Lancome again.
Posted by: mel 2nd Aug 2010
Me too - can anyone give us more information on exactly what animal testing L'Oreal continue to use? Although this is a great step and the sharing of such technology in the industry should be applauded, it may be masking ongoing or past atrocities. Please share any info you have!
Posted by: aennis 2nd Aug 2010
They are - so I'm amazed!
Posted by: Tracy J Holroyd 2nd Aug 2010
They still havent stopped altogether tho!! And I would still refuse to buy even then......... How many years have they been tourturing poor animals for?!! Dammed in my eyes!!
Posted by: hannah cobb 2nd Aug 2010
Hi All
Thanks for your comments about L'Oreal.
L'Oreal entered the awards and were shortlisted as a finalist for the significant work they have done in developing alternative methods of testing. They did not receive an award.
Legislation dictates that goods on sale must be safe and since March 2009 it has been illegal to test any products or ingredients on animals in the EU. Therefore other ways of making sure products are safe have been found.
As a global company L'Oreal have the resources for research and development of products like episkin, which are shared across the industry to ensure a future where no animals will be needed for testing.
GBA Admin
Posted by: Good Things Admin 3rd Aug 2010
I have been sent many things that have named and shamed L'Oreal as one of the worst companies that test on animals. Until this stops ALTOGETHER I shall, and will ensure others, dont use any of their products.
Posted by: Nina 4th Aug 2010
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