September 23, 2025, 4:57 am | Read time: 5 minutes
“Organic” and “natural” are terms that initially sound good—and are associated with natural and cruelty-free ingredients in cosmetics. However, when it comes to animal protection, consumers have no guaranteed assurance.
What Does “Cruelty-free” Actually Mean in Cosmetics?
There are now many bans on animal testing in Germany, but they do not always apply comprehensively. This also applies to the beauty market. “Basically, any cosmetic product in Germany can claim to be ‘cruelty-free,'” explains Stephanie Link, a specialist at the German Animal Welfare Association. However, many cosmetics are not truly cruelty-free—even those that advertise with this term.
According to the German Cosmetics, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW), the German cosmetics industry has voluntarily refrained from animal testing for finished cosmetic products since 1989.
Since 2004, there has also been an EU-wide ban. The individual ingredients of cosmetic products have not been allowed to be tested on animals in the EU since 2009. And since 2013, the sale of cosmetics whose ingredients have been tested on animals outside the EU is also prohibited.
Legal Loophole for Multifunctional Ingredients
However, even within the EU, there are still ingredients for cosmetic products that have been tested on animals because the protection is only limited. It only affects products and ingredients that have been newly introduced to the market after this date. Cosmetic products whose components were tested on animals before March 11, 2013, can still be legally sold.
Another weakness of the ban lies in its limited scope: It only affects substances used exclusively in cosmetic and personal care products. If ingredients are also used in other product categories—such as cleaning agents, medicines, or paints—they are considered chemical substances under the Chemicals Act. For example, in wall paints, cleaning agents, or medications, explains Birgit Huber, head of beauty care at IKW. The ban explicitly applies only to substances used solely for cosmetics.
For these substances, animal testing can still be required. Since many cosmetic ingredients are also used in other industries, cruelty-free consumption remains difficult for consumers to discern.
Animal Testing for the Global Market
Another aspect with a global dimension comes into play: Many manufacturers sell their cosmetic products not only within Europe but also internationally. For some of these markets—such as China—animal testing is legally required before a product can be sold there. Some natural cosmetics companies have decided to withdraw from the Chinese market for this reason.
The reality shows: Even more than ten years after the EU-wide ban on animal testing came into effect, cruelty-free cosmetics remain a complex and still unresolved issue.
Toxicity Tests, Respiratory Paralysis, or Internal Bleeding
Animal tests conducted for raw materials in cosmetics include acute and chronic toxicity tests, where test substances are administered to rats and mice. “Here, the animals often suffer extremely and die painfully, for example, from respiratory paralysis or internal bleeding,” explains Link. Skin and eye irritation tests are usually conducted on rabbits.
Link views such tests critically for several reasons: “Besides the ethical question of what we are allowed to do to animals, there is also the question of the scientific transferability of the results. After all, a human is not a 70-kilogram mouse or rat,” says the animal rights advocate. “We differ, among other things, in lifespan, dietary issues, and metabolism, and there are differences in the nervous system, brain, and sensory organs.”
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Alternative Methods to Animal Testing
At the same time, there are already some alternatives. “Alternative methods to animal testing refer to so-called in vitro methods—methods conducted outside living organisms in test tubes, for example, using cell cultures,” explains Huber.
The German cosmetics industry also prefers cruelty-free alternative methods because they are faster and more cost-effective. However, the path to a legally recognized alternative method is long: For each developed method, it must first be proven that it is equivalent to animal testing. Subsequently, this data must be submitted to the authorities.
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Organic Does Not Stand for Animal Protection
So what can people do who care that no animals suffer for their cosmetics? Simply opting for organic or natural cosmetics is not the answer. “Organic refers to quality. It does not automatically mean that the products are cruelty-free,” explains Alexandra Borchard-Becker from the Consumer Initiative. “It is also possible that raw materials are included that were tested on animals in the past due to existing legal regulations.” The same applies to natural cosmetics, although you are more likely to find suitable options in this range. According to Borchard-Becker, natural cosmetics have fundamentally rejected animal testing for many years.
How Do I Recognize Cruelty-Free Cosmetics?
Labels can provide clear guidance, explains the expert. For example, the BDIH seal, the Vegan Flower, and the Leaping Bunny label. The symbol of the rabbit under a protective hand from the animal rights organization PETA is considered the world’s strictest label.
“Only cosmetic manufacturers who have consistently refrained from animal testing for their products and ingredients since 1979 are included on the list,” explains Link. There are now also apps that can provide consumers with guidance. For example, there are:
- Codecheck Android | iOS
- ToxFox (by BUND) Android | iOS
- Cruelty Cutter by the Beagle Freedom Project Android | iOS
- Bunny Free App by Peta Android | iOS
Simply search for a specific product, and the app will indicate whether the ingredients used are cruelty-free.
With material from dpa