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NEW YORK — Coty, one of the world’s leading beauty companies, announced a strategic partnership with Cruelty Free International that aims to end animal testing for cosmetics globally. As a first step in the partnership, Coty achieved Leaping Bunny certification by Cruelty Free International for CoverGirl, which is the largest makeup brand ever to be awarded this certification, the internationally-recognized gold standard for cruelty free designation. While Coty doesn’t test any of its products on animals, the Leaping Bunny certification of CoverGirl takes it a step further.
Coty worked with Cruelty Free International to undergo a rigorous audit of the brand’s supply chain and ingredients, resulting in Leaping Bunny certifying that CoverGirl products and ingredients are not tested on animals either by Coty or its suppliers.
The Leaping Bunny certification program is the most comprehensive worldwide cruelty free standard and includes checking for animal testing down to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) manufacturer level and an ongoing internal monitoring system. Leaping Bunny certification is the only globally recognized program that requires regular independent supply chain audits to ensure continued compliance.
As part of the strategic partnership, Coty has also committed that at least one more of its brands will become certified through the Leaping Bunny program by 2020. The company will leverage the knowledge it gained about global supply chain certification through this process to help drive more responsible practices across its brand portfolio and the beauty industry.
Camillo Pane, chief executive officer of Coty, said: “Being cruelty free and achieving the Leaping Bunny certification for CoverGirl is the right thing to do, at the right time, in the right way. Listening to our consumers, we started this journey with CoverGirl to demonstrate our commitment to this issue by achieving such an ambitious certification at scale. This is consistent with our ambition of growing responsibly by championing open, inclusive and sustainable beauty.”
Ukonwa Ojo, chief marketing officer, Coty Consumer Beauty, said: “Consumers expect brands to be leaders for positive change so today CoverGirl is taking a stand about making cruelty free cosmetics a mainstream reality. We know we are not alone in wanting a beauty industry that is free from animal cruelty and, working with Cruelty Free International, invite others to join us in turning these conversations into action.”
Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said: “We are delighted to partner with Coty to end cruel and unnecessary animal testing for cosmetics worldwide and have been impressed with the company’s passionate commitment. The Leaping Bunny certification of CoverGirl marks a new milestone in this area as the largest makeup brand to be certified cruelty free after having met our rigorous criteria. Importantly, CoverGirl’s certification demonstrates to the world that it is possible to be an accessible and innovative brand without inflicting suffering on animals. We hope today’s announcement encourages more cosmetics companies to do the right thing, listen to public demand and make a commitment to ending animal suffering in the cosmetics industry.”
The Leaping Bunny logo will feature on all CoverGirl products, the best visible and independent assurance to consumers of a company’s commitment to ensuring that the brand is free from animal testing and adheres to the strict criteria.
