Growing up, we couldn't spend enough time at The Body Shop. Whether it was the variety of lip balm scents, tools to apply skincare or the natural products that were used - there was always a reason to swing by this beauty boutique. Central to the ethos of this brand was the fact that the brand has always been cruelty-free and 100% vegetarian. It wasn't until we got older that we realized the importance of this stance and as many are still finding their way
to bring these practices to their brands, The Body Shop has always embraced this concept.
In 1989, the brand launched its first cruelty-free campaign and in 1997, they were the first cosmetic company to be certified with the Leaping Bunny (The Leaping Bunny certification is the only internationally recognized scheme that enables consumers to easily identify/purchase cosmetic and toiletry products that have not been tested on animals) logo.
This month, The Body Shop has partnered with Cruelty Free International, the leading non-profit organization working to end animal testing. Together, they are working on a campaign to collect 8 million signatures from people all over the world by 2020. To date, 80% of countries don't have laws against it - including the United States. By doing so, they will be able to petition the UN to request an international convention that bans animal testing globally everywhere.
With this upcoming effort, you can lend your voice by signing their petition online, at The Body Shop stores and sharing socially @TheBodyShop #ForeverAgainstAnimalTesting. To find out more about this initiative, we sat down with Megan Grant, General Manager, USA - The Body Shop.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about The Body Shop.
MEGAN GRANT: The Body Shop is an iconic British retail brand with an extensive and growing global presence. The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick in Brighton,
England, and blossomed from Anita’s personal belief that business could be a force for good. Since its founding, The Body Shop has always created innovative, naturally-inspired products.
We’re dedicated to enriching people as well as the planet, working fairly with farmers and suppliers, and are committed to helping communities thrive through our Community Trade program. In addition, The Body Shop was the first international beauty brand to campaign against animal testing in cosmetics back in 1989. We have never tested any of its ingredients or products on animals, and never will.
AM: What does Cruelty-Free mean and why has this been such an issue in the beauty industry?
MG: Cruelty-Free means not tested on animals, however, this is an ongoing issue in the beauty industry because cruelty-free is a label term and not established by law (yet). While there has
been considerable progress in animal testing, animal testing of cosmetic products and ingredients is legally allowed in 80% of countries worldwide. The only way to make sure that the practice is ended is to build on the groundwork carried out by Cruelty Free International and The Body Shop since 1989 to ensure that a global ban is established. As current, Cruelty Free International estimates that more than 500,000 animals are used for testing every year, and a global ban would bring to a close decades of animal suffering and would ensure that customers everywhere can shop with the confidence that no animals were harmed for their cosmetics.
