„Animal testing-free"
Annex I No. 2 UCPD as amended by EmpCo (EU 2024/825), EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
What does it mean?
The term 'animal testing-free' suggests that a product or its ingredients have not been tested on animals. Whilst the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009) has prohibited animal testing for cosmetics since 2013, this does not automatically mean that a product is actually animal testing-free – particularly regarding ingredients or products outside the cosmetics sector. From 27 September 2026, the EmpCo Directive (EU 2024/825) tightens the requirements for substantiating environmental and social claims, which also include 'animal testing-free'. Without recognised evidence such as the Leaping Bunny or PETA certification, the claim is misleading pursuant to § 5 UWG and Annex I No. 2 UCPD as amended by EmpCo. Mere compliance with the EU Cosmetics Regulation is not sufficient to use the claim in advertising.
Typical phrasings
- 'Animal testing-free skin cream'
- 'Cruelty-free make-up'
- 'This product was developed without animal testing'
What you can write instead
'Leaping Bunny-certified' or 'PETA Beauty Without Bunnies'. For cosmetics, the EU Cosmetics Regulation is not sufficient as an advertising claim.
Required evidence
- Leaping Bunny Certification
- PETA Beauty Without Bunnies
Rechtsgrundlage (Originalwortlaut)
Anhang I Nr. 4a UCPD (i.d.F. EmpCo) — generische Umweltaussage ohne anerkannte Nachweise
Quelle: Richtlinie (EU) 2024/825 (EmpCo) — verbindlich ist ausschließlich die im Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union veröffentlichte Fassung.
DEDeutsch (amtlich, DE-Fassung Amtsblatt)aufklappenzuklappen
„Treffen einer allgemeinen Umweltaussage, wobei der Gewerbetreibende die anerkannte hervorragende Umweltleistung, auf die sich die Aussage bezieht, nicht nachweisen kann."ENEnglish (Official Journal, EN version)aufklappenzuklappen
„Making a generic environmental claim for which the trader is not able to demonstrate recognised excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim."FRFrançais (Journal officiel, version FR)aufklappenzuklappen
„Présenter une allégation environnementale générique au sujet de laquelle le professionnel n'est pas en mesure de démontrer l'excellente performance environnementale reconnue en rapport avec l'allégation."NLNederlands (Publicatieblad, NL versie)aufklappenzuklappen
„Het maken van een generieke milieuclaim zonder dat de handelaar erkende voortreffelijke milieuprestaties kan aantonen die relevant zijn voor de claim."Does your website use „Animal testing-free"?
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