The Estée Lauder Companies Expands its Animal Welfare Partnerships

Press Release, Jun 20, 2019

NEW YORK, JUNE 20, 2019 – The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) today announced a new partnership with Cruelty Free International and an expanded partnership with Humane Society International to advance the global end to cosmetics animal testing, an area the company has been a leader in for more than three decades.

More than 30 years ago, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. was one of the first cosmetics companies to eliminate animal testing as a method of determining cosmetic product safety. The company does not test its products on animals and it does not ask others to do so on its behalf. The Estée Lauder Companies acknowledges its brands are sold in countries where animal testing on cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients is required by law. As a global company dedicated to bringing many of the beauty industry’s most beloved products and experiences to consumers in more than 150 countries and territories, The Estée Lauder Companies believes it has a responsibility to contribute to the sustainable solution to end animal testing for cosmetics, and that through strong partnerships, sharing of its science and engaging with communities in a meaningful way, it can contribute to the global end of cosmetic animal testing.  

Partnership Details

The Estée Lauder Companies wholeheartedly believes alternatives to animal testing are achievable through collaborations with leading scientists, industry groups and NGOs worldwide that share its passion and dedication to reach this common goal. To this end, the company has long worked with collaborative organizations including university research programs, industry consortiums and non-profits that have a proven track record of advocating for practical solutions and the acceptance of alternatives to cosmetics animal testing.

The Estée Lauder Companies is pleased to share that its newest partners, Cruelty Free International and Humane Society International (HSI), are joining this effort. Both organizations stand at the forefront of a global shift in public policy in the cosmetic sector, working in collaboration with forward-looking companies, local partners and advocating for the legislative end to cosmetic animal testing.

Together the organizations are working to foster meaningful and sustainable change to cosmetics animal testing in countries where it is still practiced or mandated by law, through three key focus areas: 

1. Demonstrating Proven Scientific Alternatives to Animal Testing for Cosmetics: The Estée Lauder Companies continues to support research and adoption of alternatives to animal testing to determine cosmetics safety.
2. Supporting and Aligning on Legislation: The Estée Lauder Companies works closely with key stakeholders to align on legislation that balances animal welfare, existing regulations and science.
3. Global Approach: The Estée Lauder Companies is committed to working with both global and local partners to promote alternatives to animal testing in the cosmetics industry.

Partnership with Cruelty Free International

“We have been working at the level of the UN to bring attention to the continued suffering of animals for cosmetics and are thrilled to be partnering with such an important respected global beauty company to bring animal testing for cosmetics to an end.”

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive Cruelty Free International

The Estée Lauder Companies is proud to announce a newly established relationship with Cruelty Free International, a London-based animal-protection and advocacy group, whose work is deeply rooted in making a positive difference for animals, by advocating for better science and cruelty-free living. 

The Estée Lauder Companies supports Cruelty Free International’s efforts to encourage leaders to embed cruelty-free consumption and production measures in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This collaboration with Cruelty Free International underscores the importance of bringing cosmetics animal testing in product supply chains to a global end, in support of the United Nations’ SDG on responsible consumption and production. As a further demonstration of its commitment, The Estée Lauder Companies will begin the process of seeking Leaping Bunny certification for some of its brands.

Partnership with Humane Society International and Humane Society of the United States

"We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome The Estée Lauder Companies to HSI’s #BeCrueltyFree campaign. By working together, I’m confident we can bring an end to cosmetic animal testing.”

Troy Seidle, Vice President for Research & Toxicology, Humane Society International

Together with Humane Society International and Humane Society of the United States, The Estée Lauder Companies is proud to share that it has made a further pledge to support HSI’s flagship campaign, #BeCrueltyFree, to end animal testing for cosmetics. Through its support of #BeCrueltyFree The Estée Lauder Companies will encourage non-animal alternatives through knowledge sharing programs and continued development of non-animal advances to cosmetics safety assessments.

The Estée Lauder Companies is a longtime member of the Human Toxicology Project (HTP), led by Humane Society International. The HTP is group of forward-thinking industry and non-profit partners working toward a common goal – a global shift to a non-animal chemical safety risk assessment determined through the study of human biology and disease pathways.

To learn more about our commitment to animal welfare and for information on our cruelty-free brands visit www.elcompanies.com.

About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The company’s products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, M·A·C, Kiton, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Donna Karan New York, DKNY, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Michael Kors, Darphin, Tom Ford, Smashbox, Ermenegildo Zegna, AERIN, Tory Burch, RODIN olio lusso, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, By Kilian, BECCA and Too Faced.

About Cruelty Free International

Cruelty Free International is the global voice for animals in laboratories.

The organization’s vision is to create a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals.

We use our unique blend of compassion, expertise and determination to create lasting change in how the world sees and treats animals. Our dedicated team are experts in their fields, combining award-winning campaigning, lobbying, pioneering investigations, scientific and legal expertise and corporate responsibility. Educating, challenging and inspiring others across the globe to respect and protect animals, we expose the reality of life for animals in laboratories, persuade decision-makers to make a positive difference, influence laws and regulations and champion humane human-relevant science and cruelty free living.  

With our unique Leaping Bunny certification program, we are changing the face of beauty around the world.

About Humane Society International

Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world’s largest animal protection organizations. For more than 25 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide at hsi.org.