PETA only whitelists pet food manufacturers with clear policies against animal testing. These are companies whose company policy takes a clear stance against animal testing and thus help to prevent animal suffering and eliminate it completely in the future. You assure PETA of this in writing, analogously to our cosmetics list - only then will you be included in the positive list. Many companies are now addressing the issue of animal testing on their website or in response to consumer inquiries. Their answers often have to be read very carefully in order to understand what is really behind them. Therefore, you will only find companies with us that have signed a so-called self-commitment. If you buy products from these companies, it will also convince other pet food manufacturers to abandon animal testing and switch to modern and reliable testing methods.

Cruelty-free – we are allowed to name products that way, but not companies. Sounds illogical? It is. We would like to explain to you here as simply as possible what this is all about.

The underlying problem is legal requirements, strictly speaking two contradictory EU regulations: on the one hand the cosmetics regulation, on the other hand the chemicals regulation REACH. The former states that data on the safety of cosmetics and their ingredients must not come from animal testing. For the sake of simplicity, this is often formulated as a "ban on animal testing for cosmetics and their ingredients". In itself a great thing! The problem: On the basis of the chemicals regulation REACH, EU authorities still require animal testing for many ingredients - the cosmetics regulation is thus practically undermined. The fact that animal experiments are hardly meaningful for humans and that non-animal test methods would be more suitable is not taken into account. In plain language, this means that animal testing for cosmetics is still being carried out in the EU.

But not all companies accept this - because some actually manufacture their products out of conviction and completely without new animal experiments, despite legal hurdles. At PETA Deutschland, we believe that it is very important to recognize the commitment of these companies. In addition, consumers should be able to easily identify the products of these animal-friendly companies. This is exactly what we make possible with our global certification program and the award of the PETA Approved Global Animal Test Policy seal. The brands and companies certified by us exceed existing legal requirements because they do not tolerate any animal testing - not even those required under the REACH program. We can therefore say with complete conviction: The companies and brands on our list do not carry out animal testing, do not commission animal testing and do not accept animal testing - so by our definition they are animal testing-free. (Animal experiments carried out in the past and which can no longer be reversed are not included here; more on this in the following section.)

However, companies that advertise their products with terms such as "free of animal testing" or "without animal testing" must expect legal consequences. The reason given by the authorities: This is advertising that is taken for granted - after all, animal testing for cosmetics and their ingredients is forbidden! However, as explained above, this is not true. Unfortunately, the responsible authorities are not interested in this, since the legal situation is so confused due to the REACH regulations, which still prescribe animal testing. In addition, almost every common ingredient has been tested on animals in the past - often decades ago and without the influence of the manufacturers who use these substances today. Unfortunately, this can no longer be reversed - but nowadays test methods are available that provide meaningful results for humans and for which not a single animal has to suffer.

Along with the increasing number of companies and brands being added to the PETA Approved list, we are committed to ensuring that no new animal testing is done - either under the REACH program or in countries like China, which are responsible for imported products require animal testing in many cases. With our list and the PETA Approved Global Animal Test Policy logo you are on the safe side. The previous logo designation "cruelty-free" was renamed "PETA Approved Global Animal Test Policy" in 2019 due to the problems mentioned.

With our certification, we want to offer companies and brands the greatest possible legal certainty. Even if they are not legally allowed to describe their products as "free of animal testing", "certification according to PETA standards" is unproblematic. And this certification requires that the relevant companies and brands worldwide no longer carry out, commission or accept animal testing - the same applies to their manufacturers and suppliers. They are therefore not tested on animals according to PETA requirements.

When a company makes a promise to its customers, its integrity is at stake. Anyone who announces that animal experiments will be abolished and promises in writing not to carry out such experiments would be faced with a PR disaster if these statements were exposed as lies.

If a company is interested in being included on our PETA-Approved List, they must complete an extensive questionnaire. They must also sign a pledge stating that the company will not conduct, commission, or pay for animal testing. And that not only applies to tests for the finished product, but also for ingredients and recipes. With this declaration, the company also confirms that this also applies to the future. If these requirements are met, PETA will add the company to the list.

PETA's online animal testing company listings are updated regularly. New companies are added or deleted if we e.g. B. learned from a corresponding company policy. Or when a company goes out of business. The respective contact details are also updated.

Our goal is to always provide people with up-to-date and accurate information about cruelty-free products. That's why we expanded our list from October 2018 to include individual cruelty-free brands - until then, only companies whose cruelty-free company policies applied to all of their own brands were listed. However, that meant consumers were unable to identify cruelty-free brands made by companies that aren't yet fully cruelty-free.

This change illustrates how far we've come since PETA first published such a list in 1987! In most parts of the world, cosmetics are no longer tested on animals. In some countries it is even illegal. And we will continue to work tirelessly to put an end to the cruel poisoning attempts in China, Russia and some other countries.

This list includes companies that produce cosmetics, personal care products, cleaning products or other household products. Products for our animal roommates, such as pet food or dog shampoo, can also be found here. According to the EU Cosmetics Regulation, animal testing for cosmetic products is actually not permitted - actually. Because there are exceptions, such as tests for the European chemicals regulation REACH or export to China. In China, animal testing for cosmetics and other products is often required. Companies that are on our PETA-Approved list circumvent such animal testing: They have made a conscious choice to manufacture products without the suffering of animals in experiments. Products from companies not on this list should not be purchased until a company policy is put in place clearly prohibiting animal testing.

Not included in the list are companies that only manufacture products for which animal testing is required by law (e.g. pharmaceuticals or pesticides). While PETA is of course opposed to all animal testing, in this case we are campaigning for a change in legislation rather than focusing on individual companies. Nevertheless, it is essential to keep reminding companies that they too have a responsibility: They must convince the relevant authorities that there are better ways and means of determining the safety of a product.

All companies on our PETA-Approved list have signed an assurance statement and have given written assurances that neither the company nor its suppliers conduct, commission, or pay for animal testing. This refers both to the finished product and to ingredients and recipes.

Our PETA Approved page makes it easy for you to take a stand against animal testing, with a list of companies and brands that are completely cruelty-free. Starting with cosmetics and care products to pet food and household items - all without animal testing! There is also a lot of background information on the different categories: Are there any animal tests for cosmetics at all? Why do animals suffer for pet food in laboratories? "PETA Approved" provides answers to these questions and helps you to avoid animal testing in your purchase.

Companies and brands on the PETA Approved list have confirmed to us through a questionnaire and a statement of assurance that they are completely cruelty-free - meaning they do not conduct, commission or accept animal testing. Our criteria go beyond the incomplete legal situation and also cover loopholes such as animal testing as part of the REACH regulation and exports to China.

Companies and brands on the PETA Approved List have the option to use PETA's PETA Approved Global Animal Test Policy or PETA Approved Vegan Global Animal Test Policy logo on their products. This is how consumers recognize animal-free and possibly vegan products at first glance.