On the side of animals

L’Erbolario and cosmetic testing on animals

European cosmetics regulation expressly prohibits the carrying out of tests on animals for cosmetic purposes, yet our determination to refuse every form of animal testing was born in us together with our very first phyto-cosmetic.

For years we fought alongside LAV – Lega Anti Vivisezione in the battle to secure a ban on cosmetic tests on animals. Again with LAV, in 1992, involving thousands of Italian herbalist’s shops, we sent over 20,000 postcards to the European Parliament calling for the abolition of animal testing.

In September 2004, the date from which animal testing on the finished product was banned, we rejoiced and celebrated with LAV a victory which, a drop in the ocean, we like to think with a touch of pride that we helped to achieve!

The testability of raw materials

Having reached this milestone, however, a contradiction remained: the possibility of continuing to test raw materials on animals.

From 2006 we chose to join the International Stop Animal Testing Standard promoted in Italy by LAV, committing ourselves to using exclusively raw materials that meet the criteria of the standard itself.

A new battle, a new victory. On 11 March 2013, in fact, the total ban on testing cosmetic ingredients on animals came into force in the EU. A great milestone achieved for those who, like us, love animals!

Always alongside LAV, we renewed our commitment to animals with two special projects dedicated to the protection of dogs and cats: “Insieme contro ogni forma di abbandono” in 2023 and “Insieme per gli animali” in 2024. The two initiatives made it possible to create a nationwide campaign for free microchipping and neutering of dogs and cats, designed to promote the theme of proper coexistence with companion animals.