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Our Commitment to Animal Welfare

We are committed to work toward the elimination of laboratory safety testing using animals. When we conduct safety assessments of our products internally, we primarily use available databases and non-animal alternatives.

We are committed to work toward the elimination of laboratory safety testing using animals.

In 1999, we declared a voluntary moratorium on all animal testing of our adult Personal Care Products and the ingredients used in these products. This moratorium remains in effect worldwide. Advances in in-vitro testing alternatives, coupled with the safety data available for the ingredients regularly used in these products, make it possible to institute this moratorium while still ensuring the safety of our consumers and employees.

Currently, the vast majority of the product safety assessments requested internally are addressed by using available databases and non-animal alternatives. We have also committed more than a million dollars annually toward the development, validation, and scientific and regulatory acceptance of alternative non-animal methods of product safety research.

We feel that this moratorium is a positive step forward. However, it is necessary to maintain the option of using animal tests for this category when we cannot find other appropriate means to insure the safety of our consumers and our people.

For example, there are government regulations in the United States and in many other countries that, as a condition of sale, specifically require animal testing be conducted to establish proof that a product is safe, and to determine labeling instructions. However, when Colgate is faced with these regulatory requirements, we always seek first to convince the regulatory agency to accept an approach not requiring animals. Colgate has achieved a number of successes through such discussions. There are also circumstances where safety demonstrations are necessary, but scientifically recognized alternatives to animal testing do not yet exist. However, our goal is to continually search for alternatives.

Assuring Product Safety for Our Consumers Around the World

Animal testing is only conducted where specifically required by regulatory agencies or where alternative testing methods are unavailable to ensure the safety of our products. In such limited instances, the tests are conducted only at contract testing facilities that meet both government standards and the more rigorous requirements established by Colgate with input from animal welfare groups.

Many of Colgate’s own scientists are actively involved in research to develop and utilize non-animal test methods. Colgate’s global presence affords us a unique opportunity to help foster acceptance of non-animal alternatives by regulatory agencies around the world.

We are committed to responding openly to the issues and questions related to product safety research and animal laboratory testing, and to sharing this information with all parties interested in contributing to further reductions in the use of animals.

Our personal commitment to eliminating all animal testing is stronger than ever. We will continue our unwavering efforts toward achieving this goal, while remaining steadfast in our commitment to the highest standards of product safety for our consumers.

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