What is a “fixed cut-off date” for animal testing versus a “rolling rule”?
A. A company which adheres to a fixed cut-off date (as required by the Humane Cosmetics Standard and the Humane Household Products Standard) commits to not conducting or commissioning animal tests for any of its finished products, ingredients or formulations after a fixed date. That commitment is a pledge whereby the company can guarantee that “from this day forward” (the fixed cut-off date), animal testing will not take place as part of the manufacturing of the company’s products. The particular date is determined by each company. However, once implemented it must not change. Company formulations and products may change, but a fixed cut-off date must never move. Over time, as more companies commit to a fixed cut-off date, animal testing will reduce and will eventually be eliminated from the cosmetics and household products industries. This is why we support only those companies worldwide that adhere to a fixed cut-off date. By contrast, a “rolling rule” (such as a five-year rolling ru
