Animal protection

Sonett declaration for animal protection

according to the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance, Oslo

We do not test our finished products on animals, nor do we hire others to do so for us.

We are aware that all ingredients may have been tested on animals at some point in history, but we never tested the ingredients that we use in our products on animals, nor did we hire others to do so for us. Also in future we will not test the ingredients on animals, nor hire others to do so.

Those supplying us with ingredients have to provide documentation to us that they do not test these on animals, nor hire others to do so for them.

We do not test on animals in the process of production of our products, nor do we hire others to do so for us.

Our products are not sold in countries where animal testing of ingredients or finished products is required by law.

Sonett has been a pioneer for ecological laundry detergents and cleaning agents for more than 37 years. Animal testing absolutely clashes with our ethical as well as scientific approach. This is the reason for Sonett never having performed any testing on animals, nor having had any carried out. For years we have rather supported the Academy of the German Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in their intense strive to develop alternative testing methods to those on animals.

Sonett, out of principle, vehemently opposes any kind of animal testing. Animals are pain-feeling, suffering creatures, and, therefore, animal testing, from an ethical standpoint, is not acceptable. Apart from this, the reliability of the data gathered by animal testing may well be doubted, since they are not transferable per se to humans.  

Please join us in our support for the Academy of the German Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals helping them in their efforts to develop alternative testing methods:

 Tierschutzbund

Tierschutzakademie

Current state of the legislation

We learn from the statistics on the animals used for testing, published in 2009 by the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture that approx. 34% of the animal testing in Germany takes place in basic biological research, 39% in medical research, 24% in the field of science and for training purposes, and approx. 4 % in chemical industry.
 

Developments in the field of Cosmetics 

In the field of cosmetics, prohibition of animal testing was gradually being achieved, thanks especially to the efforts of the German Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

1998

Prohibition of animal testing in Germany for finished cosmetic products.

 2004

Prohibition of animal testing in the EU for finished cosmetic products.

2009

Prohibition of animal testing in the EU for new raw materials being exclusively used in cosmetics (for raw materials also used in other chemical products, animal testing continues being mandatory when submitting new applications for approval).

2013

Ban on import and sales in the EU of cosmetics with ingredients exclusively used in cosmetics and which have been tested on animals.
 

Developments in the field of Laundry Detergents and Cleaning Agents

As of 1998, prohibition of animal testing has also been applicable in Germany for finished laundry detergents and cleaning agents.
But for raw materials used in laundry detergents and cleansers, proof of the toxicological harmlessness to man and environment must be submitted, in compliance with the Chemicals Regulation and the Dangerous Substances Directive, as well as with further national and EU regulations. To that end, animal testing is mandatory. Furthermore, the new European Chemicals Regulation (REACH) requires that all existing chemicals used will have to be tested once again regarding their toxicity, prior to June 1, 2018, should the evidence submitted not suffice.

It is only for a few testing requirements that scientifically approved alternative methods exist for the time being.

According to the German Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals there is no substance which really could be claimed to never having been tested on animals – at any time or anywhere worldwide. Animal testing has been carried out even with our most ordinary foodstuffs such as water and salt! For this reason the Labelling Body of the German Natural Cosmetics Manufacturers (BDIH) recommends not to use „non-animal testing methods” for advertising purposes. The declaration “non-animal testing methods” has already been prohibited several times by courts as being unfair competition (Higher Regional Court Frankfurt Dec. 22, 1988; Higher Regional Court Düsseldorf May 17, 1990; Regional Court Cologne June 5, 1990; HRC Stuttgart April 30, 1999).