Animal Welfare
We don't test any of our own brand cosmetics on animals.
We have had for many years, one of the most stringent non-animal testing policies of all the grocery retailers covering our own brand products. We have built up a wealth of information on the issue of animal welfare; information, which we believe should be shared with our customers.
What sorts of tests take place and what alternatives are available?
The main animal tests carried out on toiletries and cosmetics are:
- Tests to see if substances irritate eyes (the Draize test) and skin. These are usually carried out on rabbits. Tests for skin sensitivity (a form of allergy testing) and photosensitivity (abnormal sensitivity to sunlight). These normally use guinea pigs.
- Toxicity tests (whether a substance is harmful) to humans, animals and the environment. This usually
involves rats, mice and fish.
The effects on the animals can range from mildly unpleasant to extremely unpleasant, depending on the substance tested and the type of test undertaken. Indeed, some tests can result in the death of the creature concerned. - There are a number of alternative non-animal tests, which have helped enormously in reducing the number of animal tests over the past few years. These involve cell and tissue culture, computer models and assessment of the chemical properties of a substance.
- Computer models and assessment of chemical properties are not alternatives to animal tests in the same way as cell and tissue cultures are. They can be used as an indication of safety of finished products where animal test data already exists for the chemicals/ingredients concerned and for similar chemical compounds.
- The use of alternative tests as screens in the early stages of product development has helped reduce both the number and severity of animal tests, as the most harmful ingredients are discarded rather than having to be tested on animals.
- Where there is already sufficient evidence that a substance is not harmful, human volunteers can also be used to check for minor and specific irritancy problems etc.
Our animal welfare policy
Our honest labelling policies, such as ingredients listings, extend to all our own brand toiletries and household cleaning products you buy.
We have had the most stringent non-animal testing policy of all grocery retailers for over 10 years now and have actively campaigned against animal testing for cosmetic and non-essential purposes, providing support for the BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection) and FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments).
We are proud to have been awarded the right to use the independent cruelty free symbol on our toiletry products.
This shows we fulfil the criteria of the Humane Cosmetics Standard, drawn up by leading international animal welfare organisations. Look for this symbol or other on pack information statements on our own brand toiletry and household cleaning ranges, which indicate that the products and ingredients have not been tested on animals by us or our suppliers since our 1985 cut off date.
We also believe you have a right to know not only our view on animal testing but also those of the companies who supply the branded products we sell.
For those of you who also wish to avoid products containing animal ingredients, you need look no further than our own brand. We actively try to avoid using animal ingredients in our toiletry and household cleaning products. If we have to use them, we tell you on the label, so you can make the choice.
Our achievements
Animal Testing
CRTG announces that no own Brand toiletries or household products, or their ingredients, have been tested on animals after 1985 - even though the law allowed the practice to continue. CRTG co-sponsors, with the RSPCA, a Private Member's Bill to require more informative labelling for products tested on animals.
CRTG has launched 'Ending the Pain' a campaign against animal testing in the toiletries industry. This includes backing FRAME, a charity dedicated to finding alternatives to animal tests. A Right to Know leaflet gives customers the animal testing policies of the manufacturers whose products are stocked in CRTG stores.
Freedom Food
CRTG supports the development of the RSPCA Freedom Food scheme to improve the welfare standards for animals at all stages of the food chain. This leads to the introduction of a range of own brand Freedom Food products.
Egg Labelling
CRTG is the first retailer to label eggs 'Intensively Produced' a technically illegal step, but one in the consumer's interest. This leads to a change in the law, allowing eggs to be labelled 'From Caged Hens' . CRTG egg packs have changed to this wording and several other retailers have followed suit. The move is welcomed by consumers and pressure groups angry with packaging depicting idyllic farmyard scenes and describing battery eggs as 'Farm Fresh'. We also identify the source of the eggs used in recipe products.
Humane Cosmetics Standard
CRTG is the first grocery retailer to be awarded the right to use the new International Cruelty-Free symbol, developed by leading animal welfare organisations world-wide, including the BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection), on its range of Health and Beauty products. The symbol shows that CRTG fulfils the criteria of the Humane Cosmetics Standard and is an independent endorsement of our strict non-animal testing policies. CRTG Babycare products are the first labels to introduce the symbol, which guarantees that neither the product nor its ingredients have been tested on animals after a fixed cut off date - 1985 in the case of our own brand.
The cruelty-free symbol
CRTG, The Humane Standard and the Independent Cruelty-Free Standard.
On Tuesday, 17 November, 1998, the Humane Cosmetics Standard was launched in the UK, championed by the BUAV. This standard, developed by over fifty animal protection groups from around the world, guarantees that neither a product or its ingredients have been tested on animals.
This also stands for BUAV's Humane Household Products Standard. Launched in Autumn 2003, the standard guarantees that household products have not been tested on animals since a set cut off date.
CRTG was the first grocery retailer to be awarded the right to use the International Cruelty-Free symbol, developed by leading animal welfare organisations world-wide, including the BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection), on it's range of Health and Beauty products.
The symbol shows that the co-operative fulfils the criteria of the Humane Cosmetics Standard and is an independent endorsement of our strict non-animal testing policies. The symbol guarantees that neither the product nor it's ingredients have been tested on animals after a fixed cut off date 1985, in the case of the our own brand toiletries.