Leaping Bunny is our first check for a cruelty-free commitment with supply-chain controls and an audit requirement. PETA is another useful source. Its program requires brand and supplier assurances against animal testing.
Neither basic testing label makes every product vegan. Read the designation, not just the rabbit.
The three labels compared
| Label | Covers | Also vegan? |
|---|---|---|
| Leaping Bunny | Brand testing and supply-chain controls | No |
| PETA animal test-free | Brand and supplier testing commitments | Only with its combined vegan designation |
| Vegan Action Certified Vegan | A named product's ingredients and testing | Yes |
Leaping Bunny: supplier checks and audits
The US and Canada program requires a fixed cut-off date for new testing and supplier monitoring. Brands must renew their commitment each year and accept independent audits. This does not mean every US-listed brand is audited every year.
Cruelty Free International introduced its own new program name and logo in 2026. Its older Leaping Bunny logo remains valid during the transition. Its criteria specify annual independent audits and ingredient-level checks across all markets. These are separate from the US program's audit rules.
PETA: two designations to look for
PETA's animal test-free program covers ingredients, finished products and suppliers. Its combined animal test-free and vegan designation adds the ingredient requirement across the range.
A brand does not need to appear in both directories to have valid approval. Check the program it actually claims.
Certified Vegan: a product-level label
Vegan Action certifies individual products. It excludes animal ingredients and processing aids. Its rules also restrict manufacturer and contracted animal testing after 2009 and going forward.
One approved item does not make everything else from that brand vegan.
No logo? Read the policy
A missing certificate alone does not prove animal testing. Detailed company answers can still cover products, ingredients, suppliers, outside testers and regulatory exceptions. Our Native review explains one such case.
A promise that the company itself does not test is narrower. It leaves questions about the rest of the supply chain.
Check a bottle in three steps
- Find the brand in the named program's current directory.
- Check whether approval covers testing, vegan ingredients or both.
- Check parent ownership if that affects your purchase.
Approval belongs to the named brand or product. It does not spread to every sister brand. For the basic terms, see what cruelty-free means.
Sources
PETA. PETA’s Ultimate Cruelty-Free List. https://www.peta.org/lifestyle/personal-care-fashion/petas-ultimate-cruelty-free-list/. Accessed on October 28, 2026.
Leaping Bunny. Company FAQ. https://www.leapingbunny.org/Web/Web/content/company-faq.aspx. Accessed on October 28, 2026.
Leaping Bunny. Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.leapingbunny.org/Web/Web/content/faq.aspx. Accessed on October 28, 2026.
Cruelty Free International. Our global approval programme for cruelty-free brands. https://crueltyfreeinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/our-approval-programme.pdf. Accessed on October 28, 2026.
Vegan Action. Certification. https://vegan.org/certification. Accessed on October 28, 2026.
Cruelty Free International. The Approval Programme: A New Chapter Begins. https://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/the-cruelty-free-international-approval-programme-a-new-chapter-begins/. Accessed on October 29, 2026.
