Safeway
is now the third high-street supermarket to achieve approval
under what constitutes the strictest 'no animal testing'
criteria in the world.
To
achieve approval Safeway had to demonstrate that it does
not conduct or commission animal testing, and that for all
ingredients it imposes a strict fixed cut-off date after
which no animal testing must have taken place. Safeway also
had to implement a supplier monitoring system to ensure
that all its suppliers complied with the criteria, and has
passed an independent audit to prove that it is Humane Cosmetics
Standard compliant.
Wendy
Higgins, BUAV's Campaigns Director says: "Consumers are
often bombarded with misleading 'cruelty-free' claims by
companies but they know that approval by the Humane Cosmetics
Standard means a product has genuinely not been animal tested.
Safeway has demonstrated that if you are committed to going
cruelty-free, you can still produce a wide range of high
quality and innovative toiletry products without animal
suffering. Safeway should be commended for the effort and
enthusiasm it has put into working with the BUAV."
Jerry
Burnie, Safeway's Technical Controller (Non-Foods), says:
"Safeway is extremely pleased to have achieved accreditation
to the Humane Cosmetics Standard. The combination of the
BUAV running the Standard, and the stringent guidelines
it sets, are seen by Safeway as the most credible method
to demonstrate our commitment in the area of animal testing.
In the coming months we will be proud to start using the
BUAV Cruelty Free logo. Safeway receive a growing number
of enquiries from customers concerned about animal testing
and the fact that animal test claims are not always as clear
as they seem."
The
Humane Cosmetics Standard is the world's only internationally
recognised 'kitemark' for genuinely "not tested on animals"
products, run throughout the UK, much of Europe, Canada
and the USA. Due to its success, there are also plans to
expand further internationally.
There
are currently approximately 200 cruelty-free companies approved
internationally by the Humane Cosmetics Standard. Approved
companies are listed in the BUAV's consumer pocket-guide,
the Little Book of Cruelty Free.
Email
campaigns@buav.org with your name & address for a free 'Little
Book' or download a list at www.buav.org/gocrueltyfree
The
2003 Ethical Purchasing Index published by The Co-operative
Bank, shows that the total value in 2002 of UK ethical consumption
was £19.9 billion. Sales of ethically marketed goods and
services totalled £6.9 billion, a 13% increase on 2001.
Sales in 2002 of HCS-approved products totalled £187 million,
a 4% growth on sales in 2001. The report also revealed that
52% of consumers claim to have boycotted at least one product
in the last 12 months and two thirds of consumers claim
not to return to a brand once they have boycotted it. The
value attached to consumers switching brands for ethical
reasons was an estimated £2.6 billion in 2002.
This
news was posted on the website of Animal News Centre - www.anc.org
