Is Seventh Generation Cruelty Free and Vegan?

Seventh Generation is an American company with significant eco-friendly ethics since founded in 1988. Unilever later acquired the brand in 2016, but the company retains its ethical value regardless. 

The world is becoming more environmentally conscious. There are more growing concerns about ingredients and animal testing policy, particularly in the cosmetic and skincare industry.

Seventh Generation is one of the eco-friendliest brands, considering their mode of operation. However, the question is if Seventh Generation is cruelty free and vegan. 

Is Seventh Generation Cruelty Free?

A brand that would be certified as cruelty free must meet up with specific considerations, which we duly consider for Seventh Generation. 

• Their products or any of its ingredients must not be tested on animals even when requested by law
• Their products should not be sold in mainland China 
• They should not allow any third-party testing of their products or its ingredients on animals

Are Seventh Generation Products Tested On Animals? 

Seventh Generation has not tested any of their products or ingredients on animals since they were founded in 1988.

They do not permit any form of animal-testing at all points during the manufacturing, development, and distribution of their products. 

This statement translates to the fact that they do not test their products on animals at any point.

They even design their products to be safe for various home uses, including pets and other animals. Likewise, they also disclose their ingredients as evidence of transparency. 

Does that mean their products are not safe?

Seventh Generation uses other assessment methods instead of animal testing to ensure that their products are safe for human use.

They use the combination of alternative testing methods, including laboratory experiments that do not involve animals and animal-derived materials, globally recognized calculated models, and clinical dermatological studies with human volunteers. 

Do they test animals when required by law? Or use a third party? 

Seventh Generation does not test their product on animals even when required by law.

They neither submit nor pay for their products to be tested on animals in regions where animal testing is mandated by law.

Despite selling the company to Unilever (a non-cruelty free parent brand) in 2016, they still maintain their “no animal testing” policy. 

Likewise, Seventh Generation does not use or allow any third-party testing; neither do they authorize their retailers or distributors to carry out animal-testing on their behalf.

Seventh Generation also ensures that their supplies and ingredients are cruelty free. 

Are Seventh Generation products sold in China?

Seventh Generation does not make their products available for sale in mainland China because of the animal testing policy.

China’s health law requires all cosmetic and skincare products to be tested on animals to ensure that they are safe. Seventh Generation chose to stay off the Chinese market rather than submit or pay for their products to be tested on animals. 

Does Seventh Generation have Cruelty free accreditations certifications?

Seventh Generation meets up with the cruelty free standards to earn a cruelty free accreditation certification.

Seventh Generation has BEAUTY WITHOUT BUNNIES CERTIFICATION. This certification means that a company’s ingredients or products are not tested on animals before, during, or after production.

Likewise, they do not allow a third party to carry out animal-testing on their behalf, even when required by law. 

Is Seventh Generation Parent company Unilever cruelty free? 

Seventh Generation was founded in 1988. In 2016, Unilever acquired this company and took over its operation. Unilever is not cruelty free because they permit animal testing when requested by law. 

However, Unilever allows independent ethical operations of their subsidiary brands.

Consequently, Seventh Generation can retain their cruelty free standard even after being acquired by a non-cruelty free parent brand. 

Is Seventh Generation Vegan?

Vegan products are products that don’t contain any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients.

Seventh Generation products are not 100% vegan, even though they pay significant attention to not using animal-derived ingredients. 

The above statement is the company’s official declaration of their vegan status on their website.

Seventh Generation affirms that their care and home cleaning products are entirely vegan, but some of their non-vegan products contain Beeswax.

However, it is advisable to check through the ingredient list of any product you buy to check if they are vegan or not. 

Also, Seventh Generation does not have any vegan certification.

Summary 

Seventh Generation is an eco-friendly American brand with primary considerations for animal rights.

Despite being acquired by a non-cruelty free parent company (Unilever), they still maintain their policy against animal testing, thus earning a Leaping Bunny certification.

Seventh Generation is not 100% vegan as some of their products contain Beeswax.