“Today Garnier takes another green step towards becoming a fully committed, truly sustainable, and transparent brand that delivers green beauty for all of us.”

This week, Garnier—one of the world’s largest haircare brands—announced that it has been awarded the Leaping Bunny certification.

The haircare brand obtained its certification from non-profit organization Cruelty-Free International to become the first and only L’Oréal-owned brand to be certified.

The Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny program, which certifies cosmetics, personal care, household and cleaning brands is a gold standard stamp of approval about a brand making a commitment to end animal testing in its supply chain.

Over 1000 brands globally feature the logo on various cruelty-free products.

Leaping Bunny’s certification is the only cruelty-free license that calls for extensive investigation into ingredients, raw materials, and supply chains.

The 18-month certification process required Garnier to secure evidence from more than 500 suppliers, who source over 3,000 different ingredients for the brand worldwide.

‘A real milestone’

Cruelty Free International CEO Michelle Thew said: “Garnier is a global brand familiar to us all.

“To work with them to help end animal testing for cosmetics and declare them officially approved under the Leaping Bunny programme is a real milestone.

 “It has taken many months, but Garnier have diligently reviewed every supplier and source and we are completely confident with the results.” 

‘Part of our Green Beauty mission’

“To be officially approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny programme is a real milestone and was always an important part of our Green Beauty mission,”  global brand president Adrien Koskas said.

“Today Garnier takes another green step towards becoming a fully committed, truly sustainable, and transparent brand that delivers green beauty for all of us.”

The brand also pulled out of mainland China, where several beauty products require mandatory animal testing. However, the country has recently announced that imported cosmetics products that fall into the ‘general’ category will not require mandatory animal testing to enter the Chinese beauty market from May 2021 onwards.

Are all Garnier products vegan friendly?

While the official accreditation guarantees that all Garnier products are “cruelty-free,” all items are not suitable for vegans because of ingredients such as honey and beeswax.

The brand, however, has several “vegan formulas,” which it guarantees contain zero animal products.

Leaping Bunny approval for more L’Oreal products

Cruelty Free International is now urging parent company L’Oréal to seek Leaping Bunny approval for more of its brands.

“Garnier being approved under the Leaping Bunny program is an important gear shift for major cosmetics; and a step in the right direction towards meeting the European Parliament’s call for a worldwide ban on testing cosmetics on animals by 2023, a call which Cruelty Free International wholehea­rtedly supports,” Thew added.

“It is the first of many L’Oréal Group brands and we urge more to step forward for Leaping Bunny approval.”

• Read: Amazon launches new options to help customers choose cruelty free brands

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