The Body Shop recently announced that it has become the world’s first global beauty brand to achieve 100% vegan product formulations, certified by The Vegan Society.
The Body Shop, a Trailblazer in Vegan Beauty Brand
The product formulation portfolio comprises all ranges, including skincare, body care, hair care, makeup and fragrance. The trailblazing beauty retailer achieved its ambitious target in 2021 when 60% of its products already carried the Vegan Society trademark.
Initially, the United Kingdom-based brand was the first beauty retailer to campaign against animal testing in cosmetics since 1989. The brand believes that animals should not be harmed in the pursuit of beauty. While the brand remains dedicated to a global prohibition of animal testing in cosmetics, achieving an entirely vegan product range is a significant achievement in cruelty-free beauty.
The Vegan Society Trademark Certification
The Vegan Society is a registered charity and the world’s oldest vegan organisation. It was founded in 1944 by a vegan group led by Donald Watson.
The Vegan Society is the pinnacle of vegan certification, with its Vegan Trademark acknowledged globally as the standard for vegan products, guaranteeing they steer clear of animal testing and animal-derived ingredients. Certification is a big deal for The Vegan Society—they scrutinised every raw material in the product catalogue. After a meticulous investigation, each product underwent a holistic review to ensure it met all criteria before it was awarded that coveted Vegan Trademark certification.
Likewise, for The Body Shop, a comprehensive process is undertaken for the brand to attain a 100% vegan-certified formulation in the beauty industry. It involves an extensive review and reformulation of all products, ensuring the exclusion of animal-derived ingredients and a commitment to cruelty-free practices. This meant over 4,000 ingredients had to be validated for over 1,000 products to carry the stamp.
Chantelle Adkins, the Director of Business Development at The Vegan Society, commented,
“Today we are extending a massive congratulations to The Body Shop for achieving 100% of their product formulations being vegan and certified with The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark. This has been a massive project for them and showcases their commitment and dedication to vegan beauty. We hope that this significant step sets a global standard for other beauty brands to follow and inspires further change to reduce animal use and exploitation across the industry.”
What Does it Mean for the Future of the Global Beauty Industry?
The significance of The Body Shop receiving 100% vegan certification in the global beauty industry is profound. It not only underscores the brand’s unwavering commitment to cruelty-free and ethical practices but also sets a notable standard for sustainability and conscientious consumer choices.
In addition, Research and Markets predicts that the vegan cosmetics industry will grow with a 6.31% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2023 and 2028. On top of that, the research also estimates the vegan cosmetics industry will reach $24 billion by 2028.
With the rise of ethical consumerism, veganism has increasingly become a lifestyle, especially among the younger demographic. Therefore, this accomplishment not only resonates with the growing demand for ethical and sustainable products but also positions The Body Shop as a leader in shaping a more compassionate and environmentally conscious future for the beauty industry on a global scale.
The Body Shop was crowned the “Brand of The Year” in the Global category at the 2023 – 2024 World Branding Awards. Discover more about the brand and its contribution here.
Read more: 4 Ways to Strengthen Your Vegan Brand in Today’s Market
