Cruelty-Free Symbols & Vegan Labels: Which Can Be Trusted?

Ever glanced at your favorite skincare product and noticed a bunny logo or a leafy green symbol? I totally get it; I’ve been there, too, scanning shelves for that symbol that says, “No animals were harmed in the making of this lipstick.”

These marks are supposed to signal that what you’re holding is cruelty-free or vegan, but do they really mean what you think? In a world where “cruelty-free” lacks a legal definition and the FDA doesn’t regulate these claims, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of symbols that brands use to appeal to ethical consumers.

Just because a brand uses unregulated labels doesn’t necessarily mean it’s trying to mislead us. But it does mean we must be aware and alert when purchasing products.

This guide explores the trusted cruelty-free symbols and vegan labels. With a blend of data, facts, and investigation, you’ll soon be able to confidently navigate the world of ethical products.

Cruelty-Free And Vegan Claims Explained

Before we start with the actual cruelty-free symbols & vegan labels, let’s begin with some standard marketing claims. There are several terms on beauty products, for example: “Our products don’t contain animal ingredients,” “We are cruelty-free,” “All of our products are vegan-friendly,” or “suitable for vegetarians.”

But what do these terms mean exactly? They may seem quite similar at first glance, but their meanings can be very different, so it’s important to know what these terms mean.

Cruelty-Free

Cruelty-free means that neither the product nor its ingredients were tested on animals. “Ah, this product is Cruelty-Free; it must be good to go!” But here’s the twist: No one regulates the use of this label, and there is no legal definition.

This means that a brand can claim to be cruelty-free while it is not. We see this happen very often! A brand claims to be cruelty-free but lets others do the animal testing for them. Or it can say it is cruelty-free unless animal testing is required by law.

This label does not disclose whether any animal-derived ingredients lurk inside. When a product is cruelty-free, it doesn’t directly mean that it is also vegan.

No Animal Ingredients

Ever spotted a product boasting “Our products don’t contain animal ingredients”? This term should mean a product is free of anything derived from animals. However, again, no one regulates the use of this term.

This means that basically anyone can add a “Our products don’t contain animal ingredients” statement and mean whatever they want. And, heads up, this doesn’t cover whether any animals were involved in testing.

Suitable For Vegetarians

Next is the term “Suitable For Vegetarians”; you’d think it’s all clear skies. This tag should signal no ingredients linked to animal slaughter are present. But again, this term isn’t regulated either, which means every brand causes a slap on this term.

Moreover, it’s difficult to identify which ingredients are considered vegetarian but not vegan and vice versa. And it says nothing about animal testing or animal-derived ingredients.

100% Vegan

A “100% Vegan” label means that the product contains zero animal-derived ingredients or by-products. But surprise, surprise, there’s no standard definition or regulations for this term either. Moreover, some brands might overlook pearl or silk, not considering them animal-derived.

Again, this claim usually skips over whether animals were used for tests or not. A product that is vegan doesn’t automatically mean it’s cruelty-free, either.

Cruelty-Free Symbols & Certifications

So, let’s start with cruelty-free certifications. You may have seen these tiny logos on the back of your favorite moisturizer or shampoo, and they help you recognize which brands are cruelty-free certified.

But as we discovered that brands can slap any term or logo on their products to make it look like they’re cruelty-free, vegan, etc., it’s important to recognize the official/real logos of the few organizations that certify brands. These certifications differ from the marketing claims and labels because a third party verifies these claims.

Certified by either the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) or Cruelty-Free International (CFI), getting this symbol means a lot. Companies need to recommit annually, proving their ongoing commitment to the cause.

Compared to other certifications, Leaping Bunny stands out as one of the more rigorous ones. Therefore, when you encounter this specific symbol, you can be confident in the product!

The Leaping Bunny Program also has a Leaping Bunny China Qualification Program for brands that want to sell in mainland China without testing on animals.

Additionally, Leaping Bunny offers a convenient mobile application named “Cruelty-Free,” accessible on both the App Store and Android Play. This app lets you easily identify which brands participate in the Leaping Bunny program.

Leaping Bunny Certified Logo
Overview:	Confirms the company refrains from animal testing across all products, formulations, and ingredients, including those sourced from third-party manufacturers.
Requirements:	Adherence to the Leaping Bunny Standard, including implementing a Supplier Monitoring System and agreeing to independent audits. Annual recommitment is necessary.
Cost:	Free via CCIC, fee required through Cruelty Free International; licensing fee varies with company’s gross annual sales.
Key Points:	No specific restrictions on animal ingredients.
Remarks:	Some LB-certified products may not be vegan.

“Choose Cruelty-Free” is an Australian Cruelty-Free Certification Program merged with Cruelty-Free International in 2021. You may still see their logo online or at Australian-based brands, so I wanted to share what it looks like.

For example, PETA has certified brands that were sold in China before its laws were relaxed. This goes against most people’s cruelty-free ethos. Now that China is slowly relaxing its animal testing laws, brands can be sold in China without animal testing – however, I wouldn’t trust PETA’s certifications completely for this.

Nevertheless, PETA’s “Beauty without Bunnies” database remains a valuable tool for identifying companies that engage in animal testing.

As well as brands that have verified that they and their suppliers do not conduct, commission, pay for, or allow any tests on animals for their ingredients, formulations, or finished products anywhere in the world. 

However, PETA does not require documentation on each ingredient to verify they are neither animal-derived nor animal-tested.

PETA Cruelty-Free & Vegan Certified Logo
Overview:	The brand confirms that neither they nor their suppliers conduct, commission, pay for, or allow any tests on animals for their ingredients, formulations, or finished products globally, and commit to not doing so in the future.
Requirements:	Completion of a questionnaire and submission of a CEO-signed statement of assurance.
Cost:	Free, with a $350 fee for using and licensing the cruelty-free bunny logo.
Key Points:	PETA does not conduct routine audits. Brands are not required to provide documentation from suppliers; this is solely an agreement regarding animal testing.
Remarks:	Stringency compared to other certifications varies.

Vegan Symbols & Certifications

When shopping for vegan products, you might notice certain logos on the packaging of your favorite items. These symbols are there to help you identify which brands are certified vegan.

However, it’s crucial to understand that brands can sometimes misrepresent their products by adding terms or logos like “vegan” without proper certification. To ensure authenticity, it’s essential to recognize the official logos of organizations that certify brands as vegan.

Companies seeking this certification must provide documentation for each product and obtain supplier verification confirming the absence of animal products in the manufacturing process. While no actual testing is conducted, evidence from the company’s suppliers is required to support this claim.

Vegan Action’s Certified Vegan Logo
Overview:	Products do not contain animal products or by-products and have not been tested on animals.
Requirements:	Documentation proving ingredients are both not animal-derived and not tested on animals since 2000. Annual review required.
Cost:	$100 application fee; annual licensing fee based on previous fiscal year’s revenue.
Key Points:	Supplier contact is possible, but no independent audits are conducted.
Remarks:	Credibility relies on the honesty of brand and supplier statements.

The “Sunflower” accolade, granted by the Vegan Society, was established in Great Britain in 1944. This symbol is applied to products to signify their freedom from any ingredients derived from animals.

Additionally, products with this label must not have undergone animal testing or involve using genetically modified organisms during production. It’s important to understand that the “Sunflower” label is awarded to individual products, not entire companies.

The Vegan Society Trademark Logos
Overview:	Products and ingredients are free from animal products, by-products, or derivatives and are not tested on animals.
Requirements:	Signed written statements from the manufacturer confirming adherence to criteria.
Cost:	Fee structures unspecified.
Key Points:	On-site audits for certified restaurant dishes; unclear for cosmetics and cleaning products.
Remarks:	Relies on brand and supplier honesty; fee structures not detailed.

Products seeking this prestigious certification undergo rigorous evaluation. The Vegetarian Society meticulously examines everything from ingredients to production methods to ensure compliance with their dedication to cruelty-free and plant-based living.

This certification goes beyond food items, encompassing a diverse range of products and providing a comprehensive resource for mindful consumers.

The Vegetarian Society Vegan Approved Trademark Logo
Overview:	Products are free from animal-derived ingredients and testing, cross-contamination, and are GMO-free.
Requirements:	Strict adherence to criteria, including ingredient checks and production process documentation.
Cost:	Information unavailable.
Key Points:	Two trademark logos: vegetarian products must be free from slaughter-derived ingredients.
Remarks:	Application and licensing costs not found.

What If I Don’t See A Cruelty-Free Logo?

A brand can be cruelty-free without being certified. So, if you want to purchase a supposedly cruelty-free product but can’t find a logo, it isn’t necessarily a no-go. You just have to do more research. You can use sites like mine to find out whether a brand is really cruelty-free.

But if you want to do your own research, you can always reach out to the brand and ask them the following questions to find out more:

• Does your brand test on animals for either finished products or individual product ingredients?
• Do your suppliers test on animals? How do you ensure this?
• Do any third parties test on animals on your behalf?
• Do you test on animals when/where required by law?
• Are your products sold (excluding online sales) anywhere that testing on animals is required by law?

Sometimes, directly contacting brands to inquire about their animal testing policies or ingredient sourcing can provide clarity. However, you can also get vague or broad answers from the brand. In this case, I usually reconsider supporting them. Usually, a lack of transparency means that something is up.