frequently asked questions from consumers
faqs from companies can be found here
Is Choose Cruelty Free (CCF) independent?
Yes, CCF is a self-funding, independent, non-profit organisation. CCF is not owned or controlled by any company on the CCF List. CCF does not have any financial interest in any accredited cruelty-free company.
How is CCF funded?
CCF is funded by subscriptions, license fees, merchandise sales, donations and various fundraising activities and events.
Some companies claim they are cruelty-free, but are not on the CCF List. Why?
- They have not responded to our invitation to apply for accreditation.
- They have not been surveyed or they have declined to be surveyed.
- They do not meet the standards set by CCF. View CCF’s criteria for accreditation.
Why are some animal ingredients permitted under your accreditation scheme?
We believe in providing information and letting the individual consumer make up their mind. CCF is here to help Australian consumers find cosmetic, toiletry and household cleaning products that align with their personal ethics.
More than 80% of Australians believe that animal-testing of these products is cruel and unnecessary, however, the majority of those people probably consume meat and other animal products.
Since 1992, the prime focus of our work is in educating consumers and companies about the inherent cruelty of animal-testing of cosmetics, toiletries and household cleaning products.
By keeping the CCF List friendly to the ‘general’ consumer we reach thousands more people and change many hearts and minds along the way.
If you object to the use of animal ingredients in consumer products, tell the companies that are making them! We categorise all companies on the CCF List so that vegans can readily identify which companies only produce vegan products.
The make-up I use is vegan, so it’s cruelty-free, correct?
No. Vegan status relates to whether or not animal ingredients or derivatives are used. Cruelty-free relates to animal experimentation and whether or not a product and its ingredients have been animal-tested. Read more here.
How does CCF know the products on the CCF List are cruelty-free?
All companies on the CCF List are surveyed via a detailed questionnaire. The company must supply CCF with information and legally binding guarantees. View CCF’s criteria for accreditation.
How much does it cost to be accredited?
As a non-profit organisation CCF charges a one-off administrative fee of AUD$100 to cover the costs we incur during the accreditation process. If the application is successful, the company receives for the duration of its accreditation a complimentary listing on our website, in the printed CCF List booklet, in CCF’s free iPhone/Android App, one announcement via our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, and listing in the monthly CCF eUpdate. CCF produces and distributes all materials to the public free of charge.
How do I know a company is still compliant with your criteria?
Companies on the Choose Cruelty Free List (CCF List) are regularly asked to undergo re-accreditation to ensure that they still comply with CCF’s criteria for accreditation. There is no fee for re-accreditation. If a company declines to undergo re-accreditation it is removed from the CCF List and added to this page of our website.
Why do some companies test on animals? Is it necessary?
No. Animal testing is not necessary to ensure consumer safety. Although the companies claim to be using these tests for consumer safety, many hundreds of companies worldwide do not test on animals. Animal testing is not designed to protect the consumer, but to protect the company against you in case you sue. If concern for the consumer is of paramount importance, then why do manufacturers consider using potentially dangerous substances in products such as cosmetics and toiletries? Surely, only ingredients which are known to be safe enough to be firstly and only tested on humans should be considered. Governments often impose animal-testing requirements on companies.
Why do some of the companies on your List use palm oil as an ingredient?
We encourage the companies on the CCF List to find and use alternatives to palm oil. Please refer to our palm oil page for more information.
What are the tests performed on animals?
The most commonly used tests are the Lethal Dose and Draize Eye/Skin tests. These have been banned in Victoria but are still used extensively overseas where most research and development of new products takes place. View animal tests.
Are there alternatives to animal testing?
Yes. Hundreds of companies use only natural ingredients with a long history of safe use, and/or one or more of the alternative methods of testing such as culture tests, computer models and human volunteer trials. View alternatives.
What can I do?
- Only buy products that have not been tested on animals. Check the Choose Cruelty Free List and look out for the Not Tested on Animals Rabbit Logo (please note that not all companies on the CCF List use our logo on their packaging). By purchasing only approved cruelty-free products, you reward those companies that do not make profits by testing upon animals and voice your opposition to the cruel and unnecessary practice of animal testing used by others.
- Tell companies that you look for independent verification of animal testing claims. It’s really important for them to hear directly from consumers.
- Download and share our free resources – booklets, flyers, post cards, etc.
- Become a supporter of the Choose Cruelty Free campaign. Join CCF or donate!
- Check out our campaigns page and act now!