WASHINGTON—The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has awarded ethical beauty giant Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics its prestigious Henry Spira Corporate Progress Award for 2017 in recognition of the company’s outstanding commitment to cruelty-free. “Lush do not test on animals, do not use materials that contain animal derivatives that are unsuitable for vegetarians and only buy raw materials from companies that are not involved in the use of, or commission the use of, animals for testing and have no plans to do so in the future,” according to the company’s animal testing policy.

Lush ethics director Hilary Jones said: “We have built Lush from day one using this policy—and we believe this shows that it is possible to invent, manufacture and bring to the market an entire range of products without any involvement in animal testing.” Karl Bygrave, Lush director of emerging markets, added: “For us the fight isn’t over until there is a worldwide ban in place, so to receive this award is a real honour and a reason to have a little celebration along the way.”

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The Henry Spira Corporate Progress Award honors Henry Spira, a pioneering animal advocate whose campaigns between the 1970s and 1990s are long remembered for their sophistication and focus on cooperation. In consultation with the philosopher and author Peter Singer and others, The HSUS has been bestowing the Spira awards on forward-thinking companies, business associations, and entrepreneurs since 2011. The collective impact of these game-changing actions by major companies has brought relief to millions, if not billions, of animals worldwide, and every year we’re finding more and more deserving candidates.

Lush was a founding supporter of the #BeCrueltyFree campaign launched in 2012 by Humane Society International and HSUS to achieve a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics. The company donated its storefront windows and the support of staff in hundreds of shops across dozens of countries and online to promote the campaign and help gather millions of petition signatures in support of meaningful legislative change, while also providing substantial financial support to enable HSI to be present on the ground in key beauty markets to advance groundbreaking animal protection laws.

The company also launched The Lush Prize to stimulate a race to bring about an end to animal testing and to recognise and encourage those working in the field with £330,000 in prize and funding disbursed across 5 prize categories (Science, Young Researchers, Training, Lobbying and Public Awareness). The largest of its kind in the non-animal testing sector, the Lush Prize has already awarded £1.9 million to 93 winners in 28 countries. In addition, Lush’s Charity Pot initiative has in the last decade donated more than £20 million to over 850 grassroots charities in 42 countries, by providing 100%, excluding tax, the retail price of a body lotion sold year-round.

Troy Seidle, Humane Society International vice president for research and toxicology, said: “It’s truly an honor to present this award to my friends at Lush, who have been the greatest of allies in the global fight to end animal testing. The positive impacts arising from funding and other support that Lush provides for so many organizations working to protect animals, the environment and other worthy causes cannot be overstated.”

Other recipients of the 2017 Henry Spira Award for progress in other animal welfare areas include Gucci, Unilever, TGI Fridays, Nestlé USA and Pet Food Express.

Media Contact: Wendy Higgins at +44(0)7989 972 423