Cosmetics companies large and small were honoured for their commitment to animal welfare last night at the fifth annual RSPCA Good Business Awards.
The awards, set up to encourage companies from the cosmetics, fashion and food industries to initiate and adopt animal welfare policies, were judged by an independent panel of industry experts, with SPC’s editor Clare Henderson and FRAME’s (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments) Gerard Duvé taking on the hotly contested cosmetics category.
Newcomer The Gamrie Goat took top honours in the small cosmetics company category for its goat’s milk soap range, while last year’s winner, male grooming brand Bulldog was awarded a highly commended prize for its commitment to ethical sourcing and animal welfare.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award,” said Christine Ralph, founder, The Gamrie Goat. “The goats are integral to the business so it’s only right that their welfare is at the forefront of our policies. The goats support the business and the business in turn supports the goats.”
Ralph has plans to expand the business with a new carbon neutral building, a visitor centre and the development of a new range of skin creams based on goat’s milk.
In the large cosmetics category, high street retailer Lush was recognised for its continued commitment to animal welfare. The company also won awards in 2006 and 2007.
Finally, a new lifetime achievement award was presented this year to The Body Shop in recognition of the significant contribution the company has made in helping to achieve a ban on animal testing and the work carried out by its late founder Dame Anita Roddick.
This year’s awards marked the last time cosmetics will be included as a definitive category due to the introduction of new EU legislation banning testing on animals in March this year.
For a full list of winners visit www.rspcagoodbusinessawards.com