Glossary

Cruelty-free & vegan claims

Also known as: cruelty-free, vegan cosmetics, not tested on animals

Cruelty-free means a product and its ingredients were not tested on animals, while vegan means it contains no animal-derived ingredients; a product can be one without being the other. These are marketing claims, so brands must be able to substantiate them, often through supplier documentation or third-party certification. Permitted wording and proof requirements vary by market.

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