Expert: Robin Flynn - 8/30/2006

Question
Hello! I have just started working at a hair salon and i am concerned about their hair products. The salon uses wella products and i am a little confused, as you say that wella does not test on animals. But another site says that wella has been bought by procter and gamble who do test. Following that, another site suggested that procter and gamble have put a ban on animal testing. Which one is true?

Thanks you,
Rosah.

Answer
Hi Rosah,

I am glad you are checking your salons product lines. The best practice for assessing companies testing policies is to visit www.caringconsumer.com ( PETA website) and look for companies that do not test on animals. I have copied in the following FAQ’s from their DO NOT Test list.

What types of companies are on the ‘Don’t Test’ list?
The list includes cosmetics, personal care, and household cleaning product companies only. PETA’s Caring Consumer Project was founded upon the fact that no law requires animal testing of these types of products, so manufacturers of these products have no excuse for animal testing and should be boycotted until they change to a non-animal-testing policy.

The list does not include companies that manufacture only products that are required by law to be tested on animals (e.g., pharmaceuticals, automotive and garden chemicals, food additives, etc.). While PETA is opposed to all animal testing, our quarrel in this matter is with the regulatory agencies that require animal testing. Nonetheless, it is important to let companies know that it is their responsibility to convince the regulatory agencies that there is a better way to determine product safety.

The “Don’t Test” list may include companies that manufacture both products that are and products that are not required to be tested on animals, but, in order to be listed, each company has stated that it does not conduct any animal tests that are not required by law.

How does a company get on the list?
Companies listed either have signed PETA’s statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any nonrequired animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products and that they pledge not to do so in the future.

How do I know that these companies really don’t test on animals?
To a degree, the statement of assurance is a matter of trust. However, companies are putting their integrity on the line when they respond to consumers. A company that has publicly announced an end to its animal tests and states in writing that it doesn’t test on animals would face a public relations disaster (and potential lawsuits) if it were caught testing on animals. Companies are well aware that consumers are serious about the issue of animal testing, and they know that it would ruin the public’s confidence in their products if it were discovered that they were being dishonest about their animal-testing policies.


Although, Wella is a subsidiary of P&G it is possible for them to have a separate animal testing policy. I assume when a company takes the initiative to write to PETA that they are being truthful. PETA has a powerful voice among animal lovers and if a company were to lie I think it would be a media/PR  or legal nightmare or for them. If you have choices I would always suggest using Aveda or Paul Mitchell products but if the choice lies between Wella and a company that tests I would choose Wella. I wish P&G was a more ethical company but the sad truth is they do not want to be a leader in the industry for animals and have made that very clear to animals lovers around the world. Although, PETA Lists Loreal USA (I not sure if the divisions have separate policies, european companies may still test) I still am not comfortable with givign them my money. They have made contradictory statements over the years and I dont want to find out they had false intentions. With that said I do trust PETA and rely on them to be a voice for animals. We all have to make decisions that make us comfortable. My advise to activists would be to target the abusers, write letters, make phone calls to the companies that have known testing policies. And when making choices always choose products with the highest integrity for animals and the environment. When you visit www.caringconsumer.com the list has certain symbols that tag vegan companies. I would recommend them because they are the most concencious companies towards animals. Thank you very much for caring about your product choices.

For the animals,

Robin