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Prada is NOT Cruelty-Free!
Prada allows its products or ingredients to be tested on animals when required by law including when selling in stores in mainland China.
In addition, Prada is owned by L’Oreal, a parent company that is NOT cruelty-free.
Prada’s Animal Testing Policy
On Prada’s website, they state their parent company, L’Oreal’s animal testing policy. And L’Oreal claims they no longer test on animals, however, “certain health authorities may nevertheless decide to conduct animal tests themselves for certain cosmetic products, as it is still the case in China.”
See below for a screenshot of what’s currently stated on Prada’s website:
Based on their statement, we now know that L’Oreal owns Prada. And Prada has the same animal testing policy as L’Oreal where both state they don’t test their ingredients on animals but then state China’s animal testing regulations.
Policies stating China’s animal testing laws usually imply the company is selling its products in mainland China. That’s because cosmetics sold in stores in mainland China are required by law to be tested on animals.
Is Prada Sold in China?
According to this article, Prada’s fragrances are sold in stores in mainland China.
But Doesn’t China No Longer Test on Animals?
Companies can bypass China’s pre-market animal testing by choosing to manufacture their ordinary or general cosmetics in China, but it’s not stated specifically that Prada has taken this route.
Additionally, the possibility of post-market animal testing is not completely ruled out and may be conducted on some cosmetics sold in physical stores in China.
As of May 1, 2021, cosmetic companies can also export and sell their ordinary or general cosmetics in China without animal testing only if they meet a set of preconditions first. However, meeting these conditions has proven difficult, and it’s still unclear what exactly is accepted according to the new regulations. So there’s no word yet of any company that has successfully done so.
Follow the highlighted lines in the graphic below to see why most cosmetics sold in China (like Prada) are still required by law to be tested on animals in 2022.
Because Prada has decided to sell in mainland China stores, they must consent and pay to have their products tested on animals. That’s why most cosmetics brands selling in mainland China cannot be considered cruelty-free in 2022.
Although Prada may not be conducting these animal tests themselves, they knowingly allow Chinese authorities to test their products on animals to sell in China.
For those reasons, we would not consider Prada to be cruelty-free by our standards.
Cruelty-Free Policies
Many truly cruelty-free brands have chosen not to sell their products in China because of its animal testing laws. Unfortunately, Prada refuses to do the same and therefore cannot be considered cruelty-free.
At ethical elephant, we always assess a company’s cruelty-free policy using our Cruelty-Free Checklist. This ensures no animal testing was performed by the brand itself, its suppliers, or by any third parties, including when required by law.
See below for our complete cruelty-free checklist. Since Prada already does not meet the last two, we cannot classify the brand as being cruelty-free.
Is Prada Certified Cruelty-Free?
Prada is not certified cruelty-free by any third-party cruelty-free certifications like Leaping Bunny or PETA.
Because Prada is not certified cruelty-free by a third party, no one is looking into or substantiating Prada’s cruelty-free commitments and claims.
Is Prada Owned By A Non-Cruelty-Free Parent Company?
Yes. Prada is owned by L’Oreal, a parent corporation that still engages in animal testing in 2022.
Some cruelty-free consumers may choose to purchase and support cruelty-free brands owned by animal-tested parent corporations as they hope it will convince the parent company to become cruelty-free.
But in this case, Prada is NOT cruelty-free and neither is its parent corporation, L’Oreal.
Is Prada Cruelty-Free?
To sum up, by choosing to sell in mainland China, Prada must have its products tested on animals. Therefore, we would NOT consider Prada to be a cruelty-free brand.
Currently, Prada is on our List of Brands to Avoid – Animal Tested.
Is Prada Vegan?
Prada does not claim or market itself to offer any vegan-friendly options. And since Prada engages in animal testing, we wouldn’t consider anything sold or produced by Prada to be vegan anyways.
In order for products to be considered vegan by ethical elephant’s standards, the products and their ingredients must not be tested on animals anywhere in the world. Also, they must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.
Cruelty-Free Alternatives to Prada
Looking to switch to cruelty-free fragrances? Check out our guide to Cruelty-Free and Vegan Perfumes at Sephora!
As a dedicated advocate for cruelty-free practices in the beauty and fashion industry, I bring a wealth of expertise on the subject. My extensive knowledge is derived from a deep understanding of the ethical considerations, company policies, and global regulations related to animal testing. My commitment to promoting cruelty-free alternatives is evident through my comprehensive awareness of the practices and affiliations of major brands in the market.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article regarding Prada's cruelty-free status:
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Affiliate Links Disclaimer: The article starts with a disclaimer about affiliate links, clarifying that the author may earn a commission without additional cost to the reader.
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Prada's Cruelty-Free Status: The main contention is that Prada is not cruelty-free due to its association with L'Oreal and its decision to sell products in mainland China, where animal testing is mandated by law.
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Animal Testing in China: The article explains that Prada allows its products to be tested on animals in China, as required by the country's laws for cosmetics sold in physical stores.
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L'Oreal Ownership: Prada is owned by L'Oreal, which is highlighted as a non-cruelty-free parent company, despite L'Oreal's claims to have ceased animal testing.
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China's Animal Testing Regulations: The discussion emphasizes the challenge companies face in meeting China's post-market animal testing conditions and the lack of clarity on accepted criteria.
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Cruelty-Free Policies and Checklist: The article mentions a cruelty-free checklist used by the website, assessing brands based on their policies and practices, including third-party certifications.
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Certification Status: Prada is not certified as cruelty-free by organizations such as Leaping Bunny or PETA, and the article suggests that without third-party certifications, the brand's cruelty-free claims are not substantiated.
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Parent Company Influence: The article dismisses the idea of supporting cruelty-free brands owned by parent companies that engage in animal testing, citing Prada and L'Oreal as an example.
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Vegan Status: Prada is not claimed to offer vegan-friendly options, and the article notes that, due to its involvement in animal testing, nothing produced or sold by Prada is considered vegan.
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Cruelty-Free Alternatives: The article concludes by encouraging readers to explore cruelty-free alternatives for fragrances and directs them to a guide on cruelty-free and vegan perfumes.
In summary, the article thoroughly examines Prada's cruelty-free status, emphasizing the complexities of navigating China's animal testing regulations and the implications of being owned by a non-cruelty-free parent company like L'Oreal. The information provided serves as a valuable resource for consumers seeking cruelty-free and ethical choices in their beauty and fragrance purchases.
