Animal Testing Policy

Policy against Animal Testing (AAT)

This privacy policy applies between you, the User of this Website and Ellipsis Brands LTD, the owner and provider of this Website. Ellipsis Brands LTD takes the privacy of your information very seriously. This privacy policy applies to our use of any and all Data collected by us or provided by you in relation to your use of the Website.

Overview

Ellipsis Brands is opposed to the use of animals in testing products or ingredients for the cosmetics and toiletries industry.

It is our belief that there are sufficient ingredients currently available for use by the sector, in order to produce innovative, effective and safe products, without the need for animal testing. We as a company will not conduct, commission or be party to any animal tests on our brands products.

Customer safety is of paramount importance to Ellipsis Brands, and upholding policies and practices Against Animal Testing does not jeopardise the safety of our products or the customers that use them.

Ellipsis Brands will accept ONLY finished products and the individual ingredients thereof that Manufacturers have not tested or re-tested on animals for cosmetic purposes since 11th March 2013.

Cosmetic Standards

Ellipsis Brands subscribes to the internationally recognised standard for cosmetics and toiletries, that are not tested on animals, as defined by Cruelty Free International.

We require that:

• Companies we work with do not conduct or commission animal testing.
• Ellipsis Brands finished products are not tested on animals.
• The implementation of a fixed cut-off date for the animal testing of products and ingredients.
• That each product or ingredient supplier must not have conducted or commissioned animal testing for the specific products/ingredients, since our company’s fixed cut–off date.
• Ellipsis Brands purchasing policies and supplier monitoring systems ensure that ingredients, formulations and products meet the Standard’s criteria.

Ellipsis Brands AAT

Our AAT applies to cosmetic products in their entirety, their component parts and /or additives.

The ingredient Raw Materials is defined as any single substance or mixture of substances, system or compound intended for use in our cosmetic products as listed on the finished product label.

Supply Monitoring System

We select finished product manufacturers according to a defined criteria, which includes compliance to Ellipsis Brand Ltd purchasing rule. This states we only purchase finished products and their ingredients form manufacturers that have not tested or re-tested on animals, for cosmetic purposes since our fixed cut of date of 11th March 2013.

Finished product manufactures are required to:

Ensure that each finished product developed by them either for us exclusively or base product is not tested on animals.

Obtain and maintain on file, annual AAT declarations from each manufacturer for each raw material in the finished product.

Set up of in house AAT monitoring Process

In house – Against Animal Testing Supply Monitoring System Processes

Set up of Master records/ Database Systems

Contact Raw Material Suppliers/Manufacturers

Response & Time Limits

Targets & Monitoring for Compliance

Non-Compliance & Communication

Sub-Contracting to a Third Party

Set up of Master Records/Database System

It is important that an accurate record system be in place to monitor and track traceability and compliance to the process.

Up-to-date status must be maintained so required data can be collected, collated and provided easily.

Contacting Raw Material Suppliers/Manufacturers

It is important that each raw material supplier/manufacturer is contacted on an annual basis for all the ingredients used in the finished products developed/manufactured for Ellipsis Brands Ltd.

Signed declarations of Raw Material Compliance will be required to avoid the use of ingredients that may have been tested for cosmetic purposes (a single declaration is acceptable for multiple raw materials from the same supplier as long as all are identified and listed using its trade name).

Each contract must state the raw materials trade name and it is essential the Ellipsis Brands Ltd cut- off date or earlier if relevant is stated.

Hard copy or email versions of the contract are acceptable providing that the returned declaration has an original/ scanned original signatory from the named person and is dated.

Responses & Time Limits

In order to effectively measure and monitor on-going compliance it is suggested a time limit of 2 months for Raw Material suppliers/manufacturers to sign and return their annual declarations be applied.

Ellipsis Brands Ltd will send out a reminder for declarations 2 months before the data is required to each of its suppliers.

All returned declarations must be checked for compliance by a ‘responsible person’ from the finished product manufacturers site, and the record signed-off as compliant and dated.

Failure to obtain a signed declaration after a three month period has elapsed from the date of the initial request, will mean that the listed Raw Materials from that manufacturer will become non-compliant, and Ellipsis Brands Ltd must be notified, by e-mail to the relevant person.

Any comments received from Raw Materials suppliers/manufacturers that indicate that animal testing has or may have occurred, or any incomplete or inconclusive information, must be treated as a non-compliance, and Ellipsis Brands Ltd must be notified.

Ellipsis Brands Ltd will review all non- compliance issues and determine the required action/s

Targets & Monitoring for Compliance

It is essential to set targets in the monitoring and compliance of the AAT overall process.

All paperwork is expected to be filed before production begins of any new product and yearly declarations thereafter from each supplier.

Non-Compliance & Communication

It is essential that all non-compliance issues or queries be immediately notified to Ellipsis Brands Ltd via email.

Examples of non–compliance are listed, but not restricted to :-

• Comments appearing on returned declarations relating to animal testing.
• Comments appearing on returned declarations relating to environmental testing.
• Incomplete or undated declarations (only original signatures are valid)
• Unsuitable ‘responsible person’ as Raw Material manufacturers’ signatory
• No response to an AAT declaration request after a 3-month time period has elapsed.

Sub-Contracting to a Third Party

Ellipsis Brands Ltd will need to pre-approve the use of any third-party Final Product manufacturing by any supplier. The approved contractual finished product manufacturer will remain responsible for ensuring that all Raw Materials used in the Ellipsis Brands Ltd finished products conform to the AAT standards.