Glossary

Interestingly HK and Macau do not require mandatory testing. Some brands with strong cruelty free policies, have chosen not to sell in Mainland China, and instead choose to retail in Hongkong and Macau where brands are not required to test as per law.

Cruelty free certifications are done through accredited certification bodies recognised world over, such as PETA, Leaping Bunny & CCF. It maybe noted, that some brands are unwittingly using these logos without being affiliated with the actual programs.

The Zoobop meter gives you more information on the brands that are affiliated and recognised by these cruelty free programs.

The Zoobop meter uses these terminologies when describing a cruelty free brand:

PETA approved or listed - are brands that are recognised by PETA as cruelty free. These brands use their own cruelty free logo.

PETA certified - are brands that are recognised by PETA and are carrying the PETA logo. Leaping Bunny certified - brands that are recognised by Leaping Bunny as cruelty free and are carrying the Leaping Bunny logo. CCF certified - brands that are recognised by CCF as cruelty free and are carrying the CCF logo. Some brands are not associated with any accredited cruelty free organisation but have strong testing policies and carry their own cruelty free logo on their packaging.

Word of caution: Petroleum, mineral oils, and liquid Paraffin are detrimental to the environment and potentially carcinogenic. Coal tar is another ingredient to avoid. Palm oil is used in a vast array of personal care products and poses many environmental problems. It is the prime reason for deforestation, loss of natural habitat, increase in CO2 emissions and climate change. To know more click the link - https://ensia.com/features/how-did-palm-oil-become-such-a-problem-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/

Many brands are now using sustainable palm oil approved by RSPO but zoobop feels that conscious brands using palm oil need to find a more eco friendly substitute such as coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil instead.

However, according to EWG, they can be certain naturally derived chemicals which have a high hazard rate, these have been mentioned in the zoobop meter.

Organic Certifications are done through organic accredited certification bodies recognised world over such as USDA, ECOCERT, NATRUE, ONECERT, AIAB, NPOP. The Zoobop meter gives you more information on brands that are affiliated and recognised by these certification bodies, making them an organic certified brand. Some brands are not organic certified but carry organic certified ingredients, these are mentioned in the zoobop meter too, and if the ingredients are certified by an accredited recognised organization.

The Zoobop meter gives you more information on some of the hazardous ingredients which can be in your products. Word of caution: Artificial Fragrance, Synthetic colours, Formaldehydes, DEA, TEA, BHA, BHT, MCI, MIT, Sulphates, Phthalates, Triclosan, Silicons are only some toxic chemicals to watch out for. These are often used in beauty and household products. The quantity in which these are used depends on the ethics and quality standards of the brand .

Interestingly some brands that claim to be free of animal derivates use ingredients such as honey, beeswax, bee pollen, royal jelly, silk, and carmine which are insect derived. These are not vegan friendly ingredients. The Zoobop meter gives you more information on some of these ingredients which can be in your products. For instance, did you know? that some lipsticks contain carmine dye or cochineal which is made from crushing beetles. that your favourite fragrance can have notes like ambergris, leather, musk, which is secreted from animal oil. that makeup brushes & shaving brushes are commonly made from squirrel, badger, mink, sable, horse , pony, camel, or goat hair. Mink and sable brushes are products of the cruel fur industry. The Zoobop meter is there to give you more information on the products you use! For brands that have not confirmed the use of animal/ non plant ingredients in their products with the zoobop team, we have mentioned possible derivates. For instance lactic acid can be both plant/ animal derived. For the exact ingredients in a particular product it is best for you to write to the brand and know its origin.

clean brand - those using non toxic ingredients ( which has a low EWG hazard score) honest brand - gives you full information (good or bad) on the ingredients they use. Some brands tend to give only Key ingredients on their product packaging and website, which makes you wonder why? what are you hiding? ethical brand - that will never test on animals at any stage of production or marketing & has strong testing policies. green brand - that is conscious of its carbon footprint and makes every effort to reduce, recycle and reuse.