Let’s look into the Dove brand’s current animal testing policy and cruelty-free status in 2020.
Is Dove Cruelty-Free?
Are Dove products cruelty-free? NO! Dove is not a cruelty-free brand. Dove’s products are readily available in mainland China, which means they cannot be cruelty-free. All products sold in mainland China have to undergo animal testing, according to the Chinese law. Hence, Dove is not cruelty-free as a brand.
Dove’s claims to be a cruelty-free brand are not entirely inaccurate, as the brand also distributes products in Europe. The European Union banned sale of finished products and cosmetic ingredients that were animal tested, as early as 2004. So the products sold by Dove in Europe are indeed cruelty-free.
Regulations in Europe are not the same across the globe. Chinese government has a mandatory law on animal testing of all imported non-special use cosmetic products, before they can be sold in China. Brands have to undergo a pre-market and post-market testing, in order to be able to legally distribute products in China. Since Dove still distributes its products in China, as a brand it cannot be classified as cruelty-free.
Is Dove Sold in China?
Does Dove sell in China? YES! Dove products are sold in China. Dove’s official statement highlights that it only sells products that do not require pre-market testing of their products. While this is a promising sign, there isn’t enough information which leads to ambiguity on this approach.
Dove, have also asked the Chinese government to notify them, in the event that a product may have to undergo a post-market test. This way, they can withdraw the product, rather than subjecting it to animal testing. However, here is where it gets tricky. Brands in China can be subjected to a non-routine post-market animal test at any time. Especially if the government receives a complaint from the consumer about the product. Also, while Dove have asked the Chinese government to be notified, the Chinese government has no obligation to do so, and can conduct the test at their discretion.
Is Dove Vegan?
Is Dove Vegan? NO! Dove is not Vegan yet. The brand still relies on beeswax, honey and other ingredients that are either derived from animals, or are its by-products. Which means Dove is not a Vegan Brand.
Does Dove test on Animals?
YES! Dove sells its products in mainland China, where animal testing of imported non-special use cosmetic products is mandated by law. Hence, Dove products are tested on animals.
What is Dove’s Animal Testing Policy?
An excerpt from Dove’s Animal testing policy says the following,
Dove has made key decisions on how and what products it sells in countries where animal testing may still be a mandatory requirement, such as China. All new products Dove will launch in China in the future will not be subject to animal testing by Chinese authorities.
Dove has long shown a commitment against animal testing: since the mid-1980s, Dove has not tested (nor commissioned others to test) its products on animals, nor tested (nor commissioned others to test) any ingredients which are contained in its products since 2010, which was more than two years ahead of the EU animal testing marketing ban.
Dove’s official website claims that they do not test any of their products on animals and haven’t conducted or been involved in any animal testing in the last 30 years.This statement cannot be considered entirely accurate. Dove still maintains a presence in mainland China, where animal testing of products is required by law.
While Dove has shown encouraging signs and shown promise by not offering products that require the Chinese authorities to conduct a pre-market animal test. They are still a long way from being truly cruelty-free. This is largely due to the unpredictable nature of post market testing of products in China, where brands can be subjected to a non-routine test, in the event of a complaint from a consumer.
Is Dove owned by a parent company?
Who Owns Dove? Dove is owned by Unilever, a parent company that still does animal testing for its products.
What does Dove sell?
Dove is one of the most well renowned brands in the world. They sell personal care and skin care products like soaps, moisturizers, body wash, shampoo, conditioners and cream.
What is Dove’s current cruelty-free position?
Dove is currently not a cruelty-free brand.
I use Dove products. What can I do to help?
As a loyal customer, you should let Dove know about how much you love their products. At the same time you should tell them how you would really appreciate it if they stopped testing on animals and became entirely cruelty-free. You could also write to them, suggesting they reconsider their stance, till the time that animal testing laws in China are lifted and deregulated.
