Sign up for the RSPCA Good Business Awards 2009

If you’re thinking about entering this year’s RSPCA Good Business Awards time is running out – the entry deadline is 30 June.

Following the growing trend for welfare-friendly products, the awards recognise ethical business approaches to animal welfare, and the cosmetics category, in association with SPC, is open to all cosmetics and beauty businesses showing innovation and excellence in advancing animal welfare in cosmetics.

Download entry forms and guidelines today from www.rspcagoodbusinessawards.com or contact the RSPCA Awards team on 0300 123 0488 or awards@rspca.org.uk.

According to new RSPCA research (Ipsos MORI), 59% of British consumers see animal welfare as an important ethical issue to consider when buying a product, up from 48% two years ago. Human rights (58%), fair trade goods (51%) and protecting the environment (50%) are also considered important ethical issues.

Last year’s cosmetic winners Bulldog and The Body Shop were awarded for their commitment to animal welfare and for promoting alternatives to animal testing, while M&S took the Commitment to Change Award for its continual drive to promote animal welfare in the industry.

The 2009 awards will be judged by an independent panel of industry experts and winners will be promoted on the RSPCA Good Business Awards website and achievements will be detailed in an ethical consumer guide to choosing higher welfare companies.

Judges will be looking for companies who:

• Ensure no ingredients used in cosmetics products were tested on animals after a fixed cut off date, which is no later than 11 March 2009
• Demonstrate a set of robust systems to check that suppliers operate to the same standard
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to achieving a reduction in animal use, including funding into alternatives
• Show transparent policies and demonstrate a willingness to share data and raise the profile of animal welfare
• Demonstrate a commitment to the 3R’s concept – replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use

This year’s awards ceremony will be held in London on 7 October at One Marylebone.