Dove believes real beauty is cruelty free

Dove is committed to care – not just for you, but for animals too. We’re proud to be PETA Approved globally, and we’re leading the way in championing a ban on animal testing for cosmetics everywhere in the world.

Dove has taken a global stand by enacting a policy prohibiting animal testing globally, and we have not tested or commissioned others to test any ingredients in our products since 2010 – over two years ahead of the EU animal testing ban.

In recognition of our commitment, Dove was globally approved by the animal rights organization PETA, making us one of the largest beauty brands in the world to receive PETA Approval globally.

Keeping the EU cruelty free
In 2013, the EU prohibited the sale of all cosmetics products that had been tested on animals. This landmark ban became the gold standard for regulatory change in countries all over the world. But now the ban is under threat.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has requested for tests to commence under chemical legislation known as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. At least 150 chemicals registered under REACH are used exclusively in cosmetics and some of these are subject to new animal testing requests by ECHA. Dove will not be associated with these tests, and we will include non-animal data in any ingredient dossiers.

In 2021, we joined forces with PETA, Cruelty Free Europe (CFE), Humane Society International, Eurogroup for Animals and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) and brands across our industry to take action. Over 1.2 million people have signed the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) to save cruelty-free cosmetics, and call on the European Commission to suspend all outstanding animal test requests for ingredients used exclusively in cosmetics.

Our global stand
Many countries in the world still allow animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients. As a major leading brand sold around the world, we refuse to launch products that would require animal testing.

We made key decisions on how our products are sold in countries where animal testing may still be a mandatory requirement, such as China. We welcome the recent regulatory changes in China, which mean that most imported cosmetic products no longer require animal testing. But until there is a total ban, we’ll continue to ensure that future Dove products launching in China will not be subject to animal testing by the Chinese authorities.  

Our parent company
Our parent company, Unilever, has been working on alternatives to animal testing for over 40 years. Unilever supports calls for a global animal testing ban for cosmetics, and continues to work with governments to help them adopt alternatives to animal testing and change their regulations as soon as possible. Unilever’s ongoing collaborations with leading animal protection NGOs are a significant step forward towards this goal.

Unilever’s leadership in developing non-animal approaches and promoting their global acceptance by regulatory authorities has led to PETA recognizing Unilever as a ‘company working for regulatory change since September 2018. For example, computer modelling and cell culture-based experiments. Unilever regularly presents and publishes its work, and continually collaborates with others to share knowledge and apply exciting new science to assure product safety.

About PETA
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)  is the biggest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 6.5 million members and supporters. Since 1980, PETA has campaigned against animal abuse and exploitation, and influenced organizations and lawmakers to stop using animals whenever and wherever possible.

Its Beauty Without Bunnies listing of PETA Approved globally brands is the standard for consumers to rely on when making compassionate purchases. When you see the PETA Approved globally logo on a product, it’s a sign that you can trust that the brand you’ve chosen does not test on animals.