The Leaping Bunny Logo indicates that a company has met the comprehensive cruelty-free standards promoted by the Coalition of Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC). A partnership comprised of eight animal protection groups from across the United States and Canada. The CCIC was formed in 1996 to help consumers differentiate between companies that were truly committed to being cruelty-free and those who were not. This standard ensures that consumers can easily find products that are animal-friendly and trustworthy.
Obtaining the Leaping Bunny Logo
The Leaping Bunny Program is considered to be the gold standard for cruelty-free products such as personal care items, household cleaners, cosmetics and more. This voluntary program requires companies that display the Leaping Bunny Logo meet rigorous requirements. In addition, all brands must provide detailed information about their practices, policies, and procedures that the average consumer wouldn’t likely be able to gain access to.
In order to be certified, companies must agree to stop testing their finished products, as well as all ingredients, on animals. That’s not all. Companies must be agreeable to having audits performed by independent agencies and be willing to renew their status with the Leaping Bunny Program on an annual basis.
In addition to being completely voluntary, the Leaping Bunny Program is also free for brands who want to become certified. Starting the process begins with completing the certification application and providing the requested information regarding their manufacturer and/or supplier chain. There are separate declarations that must be completed by their manufacturers and/or suppliers. Once this information is complete and provided to the CCIC, the approval time can be as short as one week.
Displaying the Leaping Bunny Logo
As noted above, becoming certified by the Leaping Bunny Program is a free process. In addition to being able to note that they have met the requirements for having animal-friendly products, a company is also listed in the shopping guide maintained by the Leaping Bunny Program — both print and online versions — free of charge.
In order to be able to use and license the Leaping Bunny logo, there are two fees involved: a one-time fee and an application fee. The licensing fee can range from $500 to $4,500 and is based on the gross annual sales of the company. Once the company has obtained permission to use the Leaping Bunny Logo, it can display it on their packaging, website, marketing materials and more.
Why the Leaping Bunny Logo Matters
Even though the Leaping Bunny Program is spearheaded by the CCIC which is a coalition of animal-centric organizations in the United States and Canada, the Leaping Bunny logo is also recognized throughout the European Union. With consumers becoming increasingly more aware of the plight of animals being used in testing, they are demanding more animal-friendly products.
Many people might be surprised to learn that 80 percent of the world still condones animal testing for cosmetics. By obtaining the Leaping Bunny logo and meeting the requirements of the Leaping Bunny Program, a company can set itself apart from its competition in an increasingly crowded industry. Whether a business is a startup that wants to become known as an industry leader in the animal-friendly space or it’s ready to do the right thing and say no to animal testing, the Leaping Bunny program and its logo are the gold standards to obtain.
InVitro International is a pioneering company in the application and development of alternatives to testing on animals. We pride ourselves on providing companies with the solutions, tools, and resources they need to become animal-friendly.
