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Leaping Bunny (Corporate Standard for Compassion for Animals)
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| LABEL REPORT CARD |
| How meaningful is the label? |
Is the label verified? |
Is the meaning of the label consistent? |
Are the label standards publicly available? |
Is information about the organization publicly available? |
Is the organization free from conflict of interest? |
Was the label developed with broad public and industry input? |
| Highly |
Yes |
Yes1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
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1. However, the length of time that the company can claim that it and its suppliers have not conducted or commissioned animal tests can vary between products from different companies. Ingredients may also have been tested on animals in the past, before the manufacturer adopted the label. Also, companies authorized to use the logo may in some cases produce products other than cosmetics, personal care products, or household products for which they conduct or commission animal testing.
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LABEL CATEGORY:
Animal Welfare |
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WHERE YOU'LL FIND THIS LABEL:
 CLEANING PRODUCTS
OTHER CLEANERS
: fruit and veggie cleaners
 PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS
EYE MAKEUP PRODUCTS
: eye lotion, eye makeup remover, eye shadow, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, mascara
FRAGRANCE PRODUCTS
: cologne and toilet waters, perfumes
HAIR CARE PRODUCTS
: conditioners
MAKEUP PRODUCTS (NOT FOR EYE)
: blushes, foundations, lipsticks
ORAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS
: mouthwashes and antiseptics, toothpastes
SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
: body creams and lotions, body washes, deodorant/antiperspirants, deodorants (non-antiperspirant), face washes, soaps
SUN PRODUCTS
: sunscreen products, suntan products
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WHAT THIS LABEL MEANS:
The Leaping Bunny logo signifies that the product is made by a company that adheres to the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals, developed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of animal protection groups. The CCIC’s purpose is to promote a “cruelty-free” standard and logo. The coalition includes six U.S. groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, as well as animal protection groups in Canada and Europe. The Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals is a pledge by a company not to conduct or commission animal testing of their product/ingredients, after the date of the agreement. Companies using the logo renew this pledge annually, or the wording of the pledge must be integrated into the purchase order agreement for all suppliers. Companies may, however, use ingredients that were tested on animals in the past. The standard applies to cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and other household products. Companies may conduct or commission animal testing for products outside the scope of the standard (e.g., drugs, pesticides) but generally these are required by law.
Companies that wish to use the logo must be licensed to use the logo, and a fee is required, ranging from $500 to $4,500, depending on its gross annual sales of cosmetic and household products. The fee is used to fund an independent audit of the company’s compliance with the standard.
Companies may also make this pledge without using the logo, but if they don’t use the logo, there is no independent verification that they are meeting the pledge. Companies listed on the CCIC website (www.leapingbunny.org) include both those who can display the logo and those who just make the voluntary pledge.
Generally, no words appear on the label, only the logo. However, if a company also wishes to use words such as “CCIC-approved” or “no animal testing” they must obtain permission from the CCIC first. A US Steering Committee comprised of representatives of the US coalition members makes decisions on whether or not to approve wording on the label in the US.
The CCIC website lists the companies who meet the standards, indicating which ones are authorized to use the logo. Once approved by the CCIC, a company is regularly promoted in The Compassionate Pocket Shopping Guide, published online and in media materials. Those companies that license the use of the Logo receive additional promotion.
Links
www.leapingbunny.org
Food and Drug Administration, Office of Cosmetics and Colors Fact Sheet,
“Cruelty-Free – Not Tested on Animals,” March 14, 1995; revised February 24, 2000
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-226.html
The Cosmetic Mask: Decoding Cruelty-Free” by Aisha Ikrammadin, Excerpted with permission from The Green Guide #31 http://www.thegreenguide.com, at the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition Health-e-House website, http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=322
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WHO VERIFIES THIS LABEL?
Companies listed on the CCIC website (www.leapingbunny.org) include both those who can display the logo and those who make the voluntary pledge. Only those who use the logo are verified by CCIC.
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CONSUMERS UNION EVALUATION:
How meaningful is the label?
The Leaping Bunny logo is a highly meaningful label indicating that the product is made by a company who pledges that it and its ingredient suppliers do not to conduct or commission animal testing of their cosmetic, personal hygiene, or household products after the date of the agreement. It is fairly clear in meaning, although some consumers may not realize that ingredients included in the product may have been tested on animals in the past.
Is the label verified?
Yes, the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) ensures that the standards are met for companies that use the logo. Companies using the logo agree to be audited once every three years by an independent assessor, or, in the case of smaller companies, a “spot-check,” commissioned by the CCIC and performed by an accredited auditor.
Is the meaning of the label consistent?
Yes, it is fairly consistent. Any cosmetic, personal care product, or household product with the logo is produced or distributed by a company that does not conduct or commission animal testing on any such product, and ensures that their ingredient suppliers do not conduct or commission such testing, as of the date the pledge is made. A company may make other products outside the scope of the standard (e.g., drugs, pesticides) that do not meet the standard, but these products would not bear the logo. However, the length of time that the company and its suppliers have not conducted or commissioned animal tests can vary between products from different companies.
Are the label standards publicly available?
Yes, the standards are available from the CCIC’s website, www.leapingbunny.org.
Is information about the standard organization publicly available?
Yes, information on CCIC and its member organizations is available on its website, www.leapingbunny.org.
Is the organization free from conflict of interest?
Yes. The organization is composed of animal protection organizations, none of which have any financial interest in products bearing the logo. No member of the board is certified by CCIC to use the Leaping Bunny logo.
Was the label developed with broad public and industry input?
No. However, the label was developed by animal protection groups in response to the proliferation of unverified and confusing claims made by companies without the participation of animal protection groups.
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PROGRAM NAME:
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ORGANIZATION NAME AND CONTACT INFO:
The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC)
PO Box 56537
Philadelphia, PA
19111
Phone: 888-546-CCIC
URL: www.leapingbunny.org
Email Contact: info@LeapingBunny.org
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ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
HISTORY
The coalition formed in 1996, in response to the proliferation of confusing and often misleading “cruelty-free” claims. The logo made its debut in 1998.
FUNDING
Organizations who are members of the CCIC pay annual dues. Also, fees from use of the logo fund audits of the companies.
STRUCTURE
Six animal protection groups in the U.S. are members of the CCIC, including the American Anti-Vivisection Society, the American Human Association, Beauty Without Cruelty USA, Doris Day Animal League, Humane Society of the United States, and New England Anti-Vivisection Society. There is also an organization in Canada and a number of organizations in Europe. The laws in Europe are different than in the US so the US groups work somewhat separately from the European group. A steering committee composed of staff from each of the US member organizations makes decisions about any language that may accompany the logo.
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LABEL STANDARDS AND CRITERIA DETAIL:
click here for label standard - criteria test and analysis
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Since CCIC is not incorporated, it does not have a Board of Directors. Instead, it has a steering committee, which includes:
Tracie Letterman- American Anti Vivisection Society
Allie Phillips- American Humane Association
Sara Amundson- Doris Day Animal League
Loree Talley- Humane Society of the United States
Theo Capaldo- New England Anti Vivisection Society
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