Cruelty-Free Technical Criteria: Supplier Pledges and Audits

Cruelty-free criteria cover no animal testing of the finished product and ingredients, supplier pledges and regular audits.

The core criterion is that the product and its ingredients are not subjected to animal testing at any stage. This covers the brand's own processes as well as its suppliers.

Brands obtain written pledges from suppliers that no animal testing was done. Some programs also require not selling in markets where animal testing is mandatory.

Compliance is verified through documents and regular audits; if the criteria are not met, the certificate is not granted or is revoked.