PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Certifications Explained

By Anett Rannamets. Updated: August 2023.
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PETA Beauty Without Bunnies program is intended to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions by identifying products that have not been tested on animals, and products that have not been tested on animals and are vegan. PETA Beauty Without Bunnies has two labels: animal test-free and animal test-free & vegan.

PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification program is one of the most trusted cosmetics certifications.

Previously The certifications were called cruelty-free and cruelty-free and vegan. In 2020 to make it clearer to consumers PETA renamed the labels to animal test-free and animal test-free & vegan.

In this article, we will explore PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certifications in detail, including their reliability, what these certifications mean, how to get certified, and popular companies that have received these certifications.

What Is PETA?

PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA was launched in 1980. PETA is a non-profit organization that promotes animal welfare. PETA was founded by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco. As of 2023 Ingrid still serves as PETA’s president.

PETA Logo

What Are PETA certifications?

PETA certifications are a set of programs launched by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to promote ethical and cruelty-free products and services. The certifications aim to help consumers identify companies and products that do not engage in animal testing or other forms of animal exploitation. PETA offers certifications to various industries, including fashion, beauty, and food.

One of the most popular PETA certifications is the Beauty Without Bunnies program. It identifies companies that do not test their products or ingredients on animals. To receive PETA’s animal test-free certification, companies must sign a legally binding document, and provide detailed documentation of their product testing methods and ingredient sources.

PETA also has a vegan program, which identifies products that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients and have not been tested on animals.

How to Get A PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Certification

If you have a company that is interested in receiving PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification, the process is fairly straightforward. All of the information is available on PETA’s website.

PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program mandates that companies or brands seeking to be identified as animal test-free must furnish a binding statement signed by their CEO, assuring that neither they nor their ingredient suppliers perform, sponsor, pay for, or authorize any animal testing on ingredients, formulas, or finished products worldwide, and will not do so in the future.

Additionally, companies wishing to enroll in the program must present extensive documentation detailing their product testing methods, sales outlets, product categories, and ingredient sources. All companies are also required to have agreements with their suppliers stipulating that no animal testing is conducted on any of the ingredients or raw materials they supply for the company’s products.

Upon the CEO’s signing of PETA’s assurance statement, the company can apply for Beauty Without Bunnies logo for use on its product labels and marketing materials. Using the logo is at the company’s discretion and can help consumers easily identify animal test-free products when shopping.

Companies may pay a one-time licensing fee of $350 to use the logo on their products, literature, in-store displays, and websites. The logo is adaptable to any color scheme or can be used in black and white to suit the company’s design needs.

PETA Beauty without bunnies Logo Animal Test Free And Vegan Logo formerly cruelty free and vegan

How To Get PETA-Approved Vegan

To get PETA-certified as a vegan company, companies need to ensure that all of their products are 100% vegan, which means they don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.

In order to get the “animal test-free and vegan” certification, companies must fill out the application form on PETA’s website and provide detailed information about their company and products. PETA also needs documentation that supports their vegan claims, such as ingredient lists, manufacturing processes, and certification from third-party organizations.

Is PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Program Reliable?

PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Certifications Explained

Yes, PETA’s certifications are reliable. One of the biggest concerns that consumers have when it comes to certifications is whether or not they can trust them. After all, there are many certifications out there, and not all of them are created equal.

PETA is one of the largest animal rights organizations in the world and has been working to end animal testing for decades. The organization has a strong reputation and is highly respected within the animal welfare community.

PETA collaborates with a specialized team of scientists, regulatory experts, and lawyers who work collectively to eliminate animal testing worldwide. We liaise directly with CEOs, management teams, R&D experts, and global sustainability officers of companies to ensure that we receive accurate and comprehensive information from the highest level.

The statement of assurances, which they demand to be signed by the CEO, is not just an empty promise or a standard response from a customer service representative but rather a legally binding document. Companies are accountable for their actions when they disclose their policies and answer inquiries from consumers.

If a company falsely claims to have ceased animal testing, it would face severe public relations repercussions and the possibility of legal action.

What Is The Difference Between PETA And Leaping Bunny?

While PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification is one of the most well-known certifications for animal-friendly products, it is not the only one. Another popular certification is the Leaping Bunny certification, which is run by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC).

Like PETA Beauty Without Bunnies, the Leaping Bunny certification is intended to help consumers identify products that have not been tested on animals.

One of the main differences between PETA Beauty Without Bunnies and Leaping Bunny is the organizations that run the certifications. While PETA is an animal rights organization, the CCIC is a coalition of animal protection organizations. Both certifications have strict requirements for companies to meet to receive the certification, including that they do not test their products on animals and that their suppliers do not test on animals.

Another difference between PETA Beauty Without Bunnies and Leaping Bunny is the certification process. While both certifications require companies to sign a statement of assurance and provide a list of their products and ingredients, the Leaping Bunny certification also requires companies to provide signed statements from their suppliers stating that they do not test on animals. In addition, the CCIC conducts independent audits to ensure compliance.

Further, once a year, companies certified by Leaping Bunny have to confirm they still follow cruelty-free standards. If they don’t, they get removed from Leaping Bunny’s list. Leaping Bunny also keeps track of which brands renew their commitment and which don’t. But PETA doesn’t need companies to do a formal renewal to keep their certification.

The biggest difference between Leaping Bunny and PETA, however, is the fact that PETA also gives out vegan certifications. Leaping Bunny only gives out cruelty-free labels. See also: Leaping Bunny Certification Explained.

Does PETA Allow Brands to Sell in China?

Yes, PETA allows brands to maintain cruelty-free status while selling in China. Although it is hard for brands to maintain a cruelty-free stance in China, it is possible with sufficient dedication. Plus, PETA has rules that companies have to follow.

Today, certain cosmetic products, such as sunscreens, hair dyes, skin-whitening, and anti-freckling products, still require pre-market animal testing in China. However, most general cosmetics, including daily makeup, skincare, haircare, and body lotions, are exempt from this.

In the case of post-market animal testing, it is not a routine procedure and can only be required if a product is found to endanger public health. In such cases, companies can recall the product instead of performing animal tests to prove its safety. Otherwise, post-market testing is not and has not been, done with tests on animals.

To maintain PETA’s cruelty-free certification while selling in China, companies must only sell domestically manufactured non-special use cosmetics made in China. Brands that only sell directly to consumers through online sales, such as e-commerce platforms, can also remain PETA-certified cruelty-free.

Does PETA Certification Mean Vegan?

PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Certifications Explained

No. PETA certification does not mean vegan. While PETA Beauty Without Bunnies animal test-free certification is focused on animal testing, many consumers assume that the certification also means that the products are vegan. However, this is not necessarily the case.

PETA Beauty Without Bunnies animal test-free certification only applies to animal testing and does not guarantee that the product is vegan. Vegan products are those that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients, while products that have been certified animal test-free by PETA may contain animal-derived ingredients.

That being said, PETA does have a separate vegan certification program. Companies that are interested in receiving this certification must meet strict requirements, including that their products do not contain any animal-derived ingredients and that they do not test their products on animals. This label is called “animal test-free and vegan”.

See also: Vegan And Cruelty-Free Skincare — Are They The Same?

Popular Companies with PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Certification

Many companies have already received PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification, including some of the biggest names in the beauty industry. Here are just a few examples: Lush, The Body Shop, Too Faced, and Tarte.

List of Vegan Companies with PETA Beauty Without Bunnies Certification

While PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification does not guarantee that a product is vegan, many companies have received both PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification and PETA’s vegan certification. These companies are committed to both animal welfare and using only plant-based ingredients in their products.

Here is a list of some popular vegan companies with both certifications. As PETA has hundreds of certified brands, please note that this is not an exhaustive list and there are many more brands than we could fit in this peta beauty without bunnies list.

  • Aesop
  • ATHR Beauty
  • Alchimie Forever
  • BARRY M
  • Bella & Bear
  • Biossance
  • Boscia
  • Clarisma Beauty
  • Dr. PAWPAW
  • Edible Beauty
  • Einhorn
  • Eilish Billie Eilish
  • Eilish Billie Eilish
  • ella+mila
  • Herbivore Botanicals
  • Holos Skincare
  • INIKA Organic
  • Jeffree Star
  • KRAVE BEAUTY
  • Love Beauty & Planet
  • Macadamia Hair
  • OSEA
  • Plant Apothecary
  • Root Science
  • skyn ICELAND
  • Tanologist
  • The Clean Beauty Company
  • The Ordinary
  • Tower28 Beauty
  • Youth To The People

Check for the complete animal test-free and vegan list on PETA’s website.

FAQ About PETA certifications

What is PETA Beauty Without Bunnies?

The Beauty Without Bunnies program identifies companies that do not test their products or ingredients on animals. To receive PETA’s animal test-free certification, companies must sign a legally binding document, and provide detailed documentation of their product testing methods and ingredient sources.

How to get PETA certified?

To get PETA certified companies have to provide a signed statement from their CEO promising that neither they nor their suppliers will conduct animal testing on ingredients, formulas, or finished products. Companies must also provide extensive documentation of their testing methods, sales outlets, product categories, and ingredient sources.

How much does PETA certification cost?

Getting certified is free. However, companies may pay a one-time licensing fee of $350 to use the logo on their products, literature, in-store displays, and websites.

What is PETA-approved vegan?

PETA also has a vegan program, which identifies products that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients and are not tested on animals. PETA’s animal test-free and vegan certification aims to make it easier for vegans and other consumers looking for animal-free options to identify products that align with their values.

Summary

While PETA Beauty Without Bunnies animal test-free certification does not guarantee that a product is vegan, it does help consumers identify products that have not been tested on animals. Luckily, PETA also has a vegan program that marks 100% vegan products as well. Companies that are interested in receiving these certifications can start with the application online.

PETA Beauty Without Bunnies certification is a useful tool for consumers who want to support animal-friendly companies and avoid products that have been tested on animals. By supporting animal-friendly companies, consumers can help create a more ethical and sustainable beauty industry.  We hope that more brands will take on the goal to get certified cruelty-free and vegan in the future.

See also: The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Beauty LabelsLeaping Bunny China Qualification Program

Anett is a passionate journalist, writer, and magazine editor with almost 7 years of experience. Through engaging articles, she brings kinder and more environmentally-friendly choices closer to everybody.