Coty forms strategic partnership with Cruelty Free International, the
leading organization working to end animal testing for cosmetics globally
Coty will certify at least one other global brand within two years
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2018--
Coty,
one of the world’s leading beauty companies, announced a strategic
partnership with Cruelty
Free International that aims to end animal testing for cosmetics
globally. As a first step in the partnership, Coty achieved Leaping
Bunny certification by Cruelty Free International for COVERGIRL, which
is the largest makeup brand ever to be awarded this certification, the
internationally-recognized gold standard for cruelty free designation.
Coty worked with Cruelty Free International to undergo a rigorous audit
of the brand’s supply chain and ingredients, resulting in Leaping Bunny
certifying that COVERGIRL products and ingredients are not tested on
animals either by Coty or its suppliers.
The Leaping Bunny certification program is the most comprehensive
worldwide cruelty free standard and includes checking for animal testing
down to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI)
manufacturer level and an ongoing internal monitoring system. Leaping
Bunny certification is the only globally recognized program that
requires regular independent supply chain audits to ensure continued
compliance.
As part of the strategic partnership, Coty has also committed that at
least one more of its brands will become certified through the Leaping
Bunny program by 2020. The company will leverage the knowledge it gained
about global supply chain certification through this process to help
drive more responsible practices across its brand portfolio and the
beauty industry.
Camillo Pane, CEO of Coty, said: “Being cruelty free and achieving
the Leaping Bunny certification for COVERGIRL is the right thing to do,
at the right time, in the right way. Listening to our consumers, we
started this journey with COVERGIRL to demonstrate our commitment to
this issue by achieving such an ambitious certification at scale. This
is consistent with our ambition of growing responsibly by championing
open, inclusive and sustainable beauty.”
Ukonwa Ojo, Chief Marketing Officer, Coty Consumer Beauty, said:
“Consumers expect brands to be leaders for positive change so today
COVERGIRL is taking a stand about making cruelty free cosmetics a
mainstream reality. We know we are not alone in wanting a beauty
industry that is free from animal cruelty and, working with Cruelty Free
International, invite others to join us in turning these conversations
into action.”
Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said: “We are
delighted to partner with Coty to end cruel and unnecessary animal
testing for cosmetics worldwide and have been impressed with the
company’s passionate commitment. The Leaping Bunny certification of
COVERGIRL marks a new milestone in this area as the largest makeup brand
to be certified cruelty free after having met our rigorous criteria.
Importantly, COVERGIRL’s certification demonstrates to the world that it
is possible to be an accessible and innovative brand without inflicting
suffering on animals. We hope today’s announcement encourages more
cosmetics companies to do the right thing, listen to public demand and
make a commitment to ending animal suffering in the cosmetics industry.”
The Leaping Bunny logo will feature on all COVERGIRL products, the best
visible and independent assurance to consumers of a company’s commitment
to ensuring that the brand is free from animal testing and adheres to
the strict criteria.
To read more about COVERGIRL’s Leaping Bunny certification, please visit https://www.coty.com/faq.
About COVERGIRL
COVERGIRL, a cosmetics category leader with over $1 billion in retail
sales globally, celebrates authenticity, diversity and self-expression
through makeup. The new “I am what I make up” brand purpose and
communication aims to inspire people to embrace their unique identities
and unapologetically create any version of themselves. COVERGIRL holds
an iconic position in the world of beauty, empowering makeup lovers to
express their unique beauty for more than 60 years. Visit www.covergirl.com or
find @COVERGIRL on social media for more information.
About Coty Inc.
Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with over $9 billion
in revenue, an iconic portfolio of brands and a purpose to celebrate and
liberate the diversity of consumers’ beauty. We believe the beauty of
humanity lies in the individuality of its people; beauty is at its best
when authentic; and beauty should make you feel happy, never sad. As the
global leader in fragrance, a strong number two in professional salon
hair color & styling, and number three in color cosmetics, Coty operates
three divisions: Consumer Beauty, which is focused on mass color
cosmetics, mass retail hair coloring and styling products, body care and
mass fragrances with brands such as COVERGIRL, Max Factor, Bourjois and
Rimmel; Luxury, which is focused on prestige fragrances and skincare
with brands such as Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss, Gucci and
philosophy; and Professional Beauty, which is focused on servicing salon
owners and professionals in both hair and nail, with brands such as
Wella Professionals, Sebastian Professional, OPI and ghd. Coty has
20,000 colleagues globally and its products are sold in over 150
countries. Coty and its brands are committed to a range of social causes
as well as seeking to minimize its impact on the environment.
For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.
About Cruelty Free International
Cruelty Free International spearheads the campaign to end animal testing
for cosmetics globally. It is the leading organization working to create
a world where nobody wants or believes in the need to experiment on
animals. As one of the world's longest standing and most respected
animal protection organizations, it is widely regarded as an authority
on animal testing issues and frequently called upon by governments,
media, corporations and official bodies for advice and expert opinion.
About Leaping Bunny
Internationally, over 1000 companies are proud to be Leaping Bunny
certified. Many display the Leaping Bunny logo on packaging to help
consumers choose to shop cruelty free.
The Leaping Bunny certification is the globally recognized gold standard
for cosmetics, personal care products and household products. It is the
only internationally recognized certification that requires a supplier
monitoring system to be implemented by the brand, supply chain checking
for animal testing right down to ingredient manufacturer level,
adherence to a fixed cut-off date policy and acceptance of ongoing
independent audits to ensure compliance.
For additional information about Cruelty Free International or the
Leaping Bunny, please visit http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181105005434/en/
Source: Coty Inc.
MEDIA RELATIONS
Coty
Inc.
Lisa Kessler: +1 917-348-3373
Jennifer Friedman:
+1 917-754-8399
Amy Juaristi: + 1 212-389-7146
or
Cruelty
Free International:
Martin Mallon: +44 (0) 20 7619 6978 or
+44 (0) 7850 510 955