The short answer: No, Palmolive is not cruelty free.
The long answer: Owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company, Palmolive is a grooming brand that manufactures body wash, liquid hand wash, and men’s care products. It first gained popularity in 1898 by introducing soap made out of palm and olive oil, hence its name. Starting out as B.J. Johnson Soap Company, it later on merged with Colgate in 1928.
The brand’s UK website fails to reveal its position on animal testing. Nevertheless, its parent company states: “We are committed to work toward the elimination of laboratory safety testing using animals.
In 1999, we declared a voluntary moratorium on all animal testing of our adult Personal Care Products and the ingredients used in these products. This moratorium remains in effect worldwide.
Currently, over 99 percent of internal requests for safety assessment of our products are addressed by using available databases and non-animal alternatives.
Animal testing is only conducted where specifically required by regulatory agencies or where alternative testing methods are unavailable to ensure the safety of our products. In such limited instances, the tests are conducted only at contract testing facilities that meet both government standards and the more rigorous requirements established by Colgate with input from animal welfare groups.”
The last paragraph pertains to Palmolive products being sold in China alongside Colgate’s oral hygiene items. China is known for conducting mandatory product testing on animals to guarantee consumer safety. Palmolive must comply with the country’s import laws, or else it cannot distribute its products throughout the country. Since Colgate-Palmolive is accredited by PETA for “working toward regulatory changes to reduce the number of animals used for testing,” the brand cannot be considered 100% cruelty free.
References:
Beauty Without Bunnies: Colgate-Palmolive
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