Do They Really Test Cleaning Chemicals On Animals?

The simple answer is no. Neither household cleaners nor industrial cleaners are tested on animals. Once this may have been the case but today no finished formulation of a cleaning product is tested on animals. The last time an animal was used for this type of testing in the UK was actually 2010 when 24 animals were used. Since this year no cleaning chemical has been tested in the UK on any animal, and in March 2016, the UK government banned the testing of household cleaners on animals in line with a Coalition pledge. Millions has been invested by the leading chemical brands such as Diversey, Proctor & Gamble, Jangro, Ecover and others in research to develop alternative methods of testing the safety of chemical cleaners. If this is the case, and the testing of cleaners is banned why are PETA, Cruelty Free International and other animal rights groups still campaigning? Well under EU law the ingredients used in cleaning chemicals requires test data that confirms the effect these ingredients have on the environment and humans. If there is no test data for an ingredient then it is permitted under EU law to test on animals, but the cleaning chemical industry has worked hard to share historical data so that it is only a last resort. Today, with so many chemicals on the market and lots of test data, it is unlikely a chemical manufacturer will be required to test anything on animals. Some manufacturers do hide behind their statements and state they do not test on animals but under REACH they may be required to in the future. This is why these animal campaign groups are not satisfied with the ban, they feel it is not comprehensive enough and has too many loopholes. The EU’s REACH legislation requires that around 30,000 cleaning chemicals must be tested to build health and safety profiles by 2018. This can include testing on animals if there is a requirement. A recent test case with one of our customers made Pattersons Cleaning Supplies seriously consider this area and our stance. Being a cleaning supplies company who takes sustainability seriously, we poured over data sheets, contacted our key suppliers to compile a list of cleaning chemicals that are cruelty free and in some cases, even vegan.

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