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Historic EU Ban Shows Way to End New Zealand’s Cosmetics Cruelty
Let's make no cosmetic testing on animals law in New Zealand!
March 2013
As the European Union implements its landmark ban on selling newly animal-tested cosmetics, SAFE says New Zealand must urgently apply its own ban to cruel and unethical animal tests and is asking the public to help by signing the pledge now!
The historic EU ban means that in addition to the existing ban on cosmetic tests, from 11 March onwards, anyone who wishes to sell new cosmetic products and ingredients in the EU must not test them on animals anywhere in the world.
In New Zealand, animal testing for cosmetics is not explicitly required by law, but neither is it prohibited. SAFE and Humane Society International (HSI) launched the Kiwi arm of the global Be Cruelty-Free campaign last year to ensure that no rabbit, guinea pig or other animal is subjected to distressing and painful testing for the sake of beauty products. Similar bans have been enacted in Israel, and are under discussion in India.
Will you help SAFE achieve a cosmetics testing ban? Sign the pledge and send an e-card to John Key asking for cosmetic testing on animals to be banned!
To celebrate the EU becoming the world’s largest animal-friendly cosmetics market, HSI and SAFE have also launched a thought-provoking animated video called ‘Bright Eyes’ to raise vital awareness and to call on New Zealand to turn its back on animal testing once and for all.
*NEW* brands signed up with SAFE Shopper!
August 2012
We’re delighted to announce that our latest update of SAFE Shopper includes six new companies free from animal testing. Geoskincare, The Green House, M & R Essentials, Source Living, Celestial Essentials and Nahaia have joined other ethical brands declaring their products and ingredients are not tested on animals.
Penny Vergeest, Director, NZ Skincare Company (makers of Geoskincare and The Green House) says “We are dedicated to offering natural, ethical and cruelty-free beauty products. We’re delighted to be included in SAFE Shopper and to be involved in such a vitally important campaign to stop cosmetic testing on animals."
The latest guide also includes the removal of L'Occitane due to their decision to export their products to China, a country which insists cosmetics are tested on animals.
Download the latest update of SAFE Shopper now or search online.
Ricky Gervais Reproaches Cosmetics Companies for Testing on Animals and Abandoning Ethics to Sell Products in China
August 2012
Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais has taken cosmetics companies such as Avon and L’Occitane to task for putting profit before compassion and testing on animals to sell their products in China, where the practice often is required by law. Gervais spoke out in support of SAFE’s and HSI’s Be Cruelty-Free campaign, which is working in New Zealand and around the world to end cosmetics animal testing once and for all.
“Like me, most people will be shocked to learn that testing cosmetics on animals is often still a legal requirement in China,”Gervais said. “By law, rabbits must have cosmetic chemicals dripped in their eyes or spread over their sensitive skin, causing sores and bleeding. It makes me really angry that this is still going on, and it makes me particularly angry that some previously cruelty-free companies are abandoning their principles and returning to animal testing in order to profit from the Chinese market. It remains one of the few countries in the world to insist on animal testing, so companies manufacturing there have made the very clear choice to test lipsticks and shampoo on animals to increase their profit margins.”
Consumers are urged to sign the Be Cruelty-Free pledge and to download the latest update to SAFE Shopper.
Curious to find out more about animal testing in China? Check out the SAFE Talk Blog.
Sir Paul McCartney Supports Be Cruelty Free Campaign in New Zealand
July 2012
Sir Paul McCartney has given his backing to Humane Society International and SAFE’s Be Cruelty-Free campaign, the largest-ever global effort to end animal testing for cosmetics worldwide. In many countries, animals such as rabbits, mice and guinea pigs continue to have cosmetic chemicals dripped in their eyes, spread on their sensitive skin or injected into their blood. Such testing is already banned in Europe, and a further ban on the sale of cosmetics that have been newly tested on animals in other parts of the world is due to come into effect in March 2013. Sir Paul has sent a powerful message to consumers across the globe to sign the Be Cruelty-Free pledge and help end the suffering for good.
“The ugly truth about testing beauty products on animals is that it causes them unimaginable pain and suffering. If every cosmetic tested on rabbits or mice had a photo on the packaging showing these animals with weeping swollen eyes and inflamed skin, I believe everyone would leave cruelty on the shelf and go for the cruelty-free option instead,” Sir Paul said. “So, let’s stand up for those defenceless animals by supporting the Humane Society International’s new Be Cruelty-Free global campaign to end animal testing of cosmetics worldwide. Go online, sign the Be Cruelty-Free pledge today and help HSI achieve a world where no animal has to suffer and die for the sake of cosmetics.”
Add your name to the pledge now!
Be Cruelty Free! New Zealand joins the global fight against cosmetic animal testing
April 2012
SAFE has joined forces with Humane Society International and Lush Cosmetics to launch the New Zealand arm of the largest-ever global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics. The campaign, launched to coincide with World Week for Animals in Laboratories, is being rolled out simultaneously in forty-eight countries including New Zealand, the United States, Canada, India, Australia, South Korea, Russia and South Africa.
Sign the pledge and send an e-mail to John Key. Find out more.
Are your favourite products REALLY not tested on animals?
March 2012
When does 'product not tested on animals' on a label mean the opposite? Cosmetic giants Avon and Estee Lauder (who claimed to be cruelty free) have been outed as secretly testing their products on animals. Some companies will make misleading claims and ambiguously worded statements in order to secure your custom. Find out more and learn about being a ‘cruelty free detective’.
Share the love this Valentines!
February 2012
SHARE YOUR LOVE for the animals this Valentine’s... and download the SAFE shopper for your loved one!
SAFE’s handy SAFE Shopper website provides vital information on what’s great to buy that is not tested on animals. You can also download the handy up-to-date Shopping Guide booklet that is perfect for wallets or purses!
But wait there’s more.... be in to win!
‘Like’ our Facebook page and download the guide before the 21 February 2012 and you’ll go in the draw to win a super prize pack valued at $58 from Kimi Organics of two luxurious hand creams — one for you and one for the lover!
Beagles used for experiments
Beagles the vivisectors' choice of dog because they are gentle and easy to handle have been all over the news, both on our shores and internationally. First this heart rendering video of beagles, freed from a lab in the US, taking their first steps to freedom went viral.
SAFE campaign manager Mandy Carter says “It’s fantastic that these beagles are free but we must remember that most animals in laboratories will never experience freedom from their tiny cages and torment. Many will die through the experiments they are forced to endure, or be killed to see the effects of products, or purely because they are too 'damaged' both physically and mentally.”
Campbell Live also investigated the VARC beagle breeding facility in Napier and what happened to the animals after they closed down. VARC was one of the largest suppliers of companion animals for laboratory testing in the Southern Hemisphere and were at one stage holding close to 200 beagles in very basic, barren kennels. Read more.
Shopper launches with celebrity support
Three Kiwi actors banded together to protest the ugly side of the beauty industry at the launch of New Zealand’s first-ever caring consumer guide, SAFE Shopper, aiming to show how easy it is to avoid products tested on animals. Angela Bloomfield, Lisa Chappell and Elizabeth McMenamin were made up with special effects make up to highlight the harm caused by testing products on animals. SAFE volunteers and supporters were also out in force in Auckland and Christchurch giving out SAFE Shopper cards and samples to shoppers passing by.
Despite animal testing being widely condemned, tens of thousands of rabbits, mice and other animals are still commonly used in laboratories worldwide to test shampoos, lipsticks and household cleaners.
“Over 8,000 ingredients are available for commercial application without further testing yet cosmetics and household products sold in supermarkets, chemists and department stores are still being cruelly tested on animals. The website SAFEshopper.org.nz allows New Zealanders to find out which products are not tested on animals,” says SAFE campaign manager Mandy Carter.
SAFE is delighted to team up with well-known actor and director Angela Bloomfield to empower everyday shoppers to become caring consumers. The familiar character from Shortland Street and keen animal advocate is the face of SAFE’s new campaign.
"I strongly oppose the use of animals in cruel and unnecessary cosmetic tests and I’m excited to be involved in something that will make a big difference to reducing animal suffering,” says Angela.
SAFEshopper.org.nz website includes companies that don’t test ingredients or finished products on animals. It also identifies New Zealand companies as well as companies that are entirely vegan and cruelty free.
European Union cosmetics ban under threat
1 SEPT 2011 - The European Union was due to be free of all new animal tested cosmetics by 2013. However officials are now considering extending this deadline. That’s despite massive public opposition to animal tested cosmetics and an existing ban on animal testing for cosmetics inside the EU. Join BUAV and SAFE in saying NO to cruel cosmetics in Europe.
SIGN the petition now.
Austria and Belgium say no to cruel cosmetics
29 AUG 2011 - Austria and Belgium have declared their support for the 2013 deadline for a ban on marketing new animal tested cosmetics! They join Sweden which has already told the European Commission that the 2013 deadline must hold firm.
In a submission to the European Commission, the Austrian government stated, "The option of a delay is out of the question as far as Austria is concerned. It could not be defended politically and would send an entirely false signal to industry and research. Moreover, for many consumers, the continuation of animal testing for cosmetics would be ethically unacceptable." Awesome!
