Dear Daniela,Thank you for your interest in our products.Regarding your question about animal testing, Korres natural products are not tested on animals, nor does the company request animal testing on any ingredient or combination of ingredients. All dermatological and other clinical tests are performed in vitro [in the lab] by the use of synthetic keratinocytes or in vivo: on human volunteers under the surveillance of a dermatologist or any applicable physician [ophthalmologist etc].It is worthy to note that we have actually launched a new packaging that has appeared gradually in all our markets, where we have incorporated a transparent and analytical ingredient table, called Formula Facts – featured on the side of each Korres product. This table makes extended reference to the formula itself, while also addressing frequently asked questions such as the ones about animal testing.Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.Kind regardsKorres Natural Products
Update 19/04/2013: Da ich darauf aufmerksam wurde, dass KORRES in den USA ein sogenanntes Licensing Agreement mit Johnson & Johnson vereinbart hat, wollte ich nochmal nachfragen, ob und wie dies einen Einfluss auf ihre promotete Distanzierung von Tierversuchen hat bzw. ob und invieweit man beim Kauf von KORRES Produkten in Europa indirekt die entgegengesetzte Haltung von Johnson & Johnson finanziell unterstützt:Dear _,I have another question regarding animal testing. I only found out yesterday that Korres is part of Johnson & Johnson. What kind of effect does this have on Korres‘ animal testing policy since I’m very aware that J&J is still testing on animals?I am very much looking forward to your response and appreciate your help in that matter!Best wishes,Daniela
Hi Daniela!As per our previous note, KORRES is against animal-testing; we do not test ingredients or products on animals, nor do we hire outside companies to do so for us at any stage in production up to selling them. It is also stated on our packaging that we do not test on animals [Formula & Packaging Facts]. All our tests are performed in vitro by the use of synthetic keratinocytes [in the lab] or in vivo [human volunteers under the surveillance of a dermatologist and/or special practitioners as required i.e. an opthalmologist]. Regarding your Leaping Bunny reference; our company, like BUAV and other commercial cruelty-free certification units, insists on requesting certificates from our suppliers, in order to clarify the period of time for which our raw materials have not been tested on animals.You asked our team, what kind of effect does this have on KORRES animal testing policy since you mentioned you were aware that J&J is still testing on animals. It doesn’t have any effect – KORRES US also follows the requirements of the European Union (EU) animal testing ban. Hope this helpsBestKORRES
Diese Antwort war mir etwas zu kurz gefasst, daher habe ich noch einmal nachgefragt und im Zuge dessen auch, ob KORRES in China erhältlich sei:Hi _,thanks again for your quick response and your patience to answer my questions.I’m sorry if I may have not expressed my need for clarifcation very clearly. I have learned that KORRES has a very clear and strict position on animal testing, which is a great benefit to many consumers loyal to KORRES. Since I’m sure many consumers support your standing point on animal testing they don’t support J&J’s. So if I understood correctly this licensing agreement you have with J&J in the US does not affect the production process itself (since this still lies with KORRES Europe) but only gives J&J permission to sell KORRES products in the US and earn the profit? Does it mean you can separate KORRES business in Europe from KORRES business in the US? The reason for my asking: my readers want to make sure to support KORRES in its position against animal testing but don’t want to fund J&J whatsoever. The decision lies with the consumer of course but I just would like to clarify the situation so that everyone can make the decision for himself.Are KORRES products sold in China?Best wishes,Daniela
Hi DanielaI’m happy to be of further help, it’s not a problem at all – I think the point for everyone is as previously stated, clear and succinctRegarding China – we started our collaboration with China in 2008; we were not aware of the fact that the registration process requires animal testing by law and government authorities – most people in the industry were not either, until the recent publicity; this is something we do not consent with. As soon as we were made aware, we asked our distributor to stop registering new products until the first no-animal-tested cosmetics are allowed in the market.Yes, we do not test on animals, yes KORRES USA is part of Johnson & Johnson, no our animal policy is not affected by this partnership, yes KORRES USA follows the requirements of the European Union animal testing ban. Not sure how else to put this across to help your readers but this is the full pictureWith regards to Johnson & Johnson and its animal testing policy, you will have to reach out to them but as far as KORRES USA is concerned, the answers above hopefully cover your additional questionsBestKORRES
Anmerkung: KORRES selbst distanziert sich laut diesen Statements von Tierversuchen, allerdings bin ich selbst nach diesen ausgiebigen Korrspondenzen nicht überzeugt, dass sich KORRES für mich persönlich auch ausreichend von Johnson & Johnson distanziert. Es gibt daher auf Once Upon A Cream keine Produktvorstellungen dieser Marke/dieses Unternehmens.