H&M is collaborating with Humane Society International to promote the ethical treatment of animals across the fashion and beauty industries. The collaboration aims not only to protect the farm animals from which wool, hair or down is derived, but also to work towards banning cosmetics testing on animals globally.

"Animal welfare is important to us at H&M and we want to contribute to improved animal welfare practices in our industry, which is why we are committing ourselves not only to further improve our own requirements, but also to work collaboratively with HSI to elevate standards throughout the industry and globally," explained H&M sustainability business expert Madelene Ericsson in a statement. "HSI is a globally recognised organisation with long experience within this area, so we believe they will be a very good partner in pushing for change and we hope that other companies will be inspired to do likewise."

London College of Fashion students at work for H&M's Fashion Recycling Week

Central to the collaboration is the aim to pursue policy change in countries around the world, such as national legislative bans on mulesing (the removal of strips of wool-bearing skin from around the buttocks of a live sheep), live-plucking and force-feeding. H&M will also actively support the #BeCrueltyFree campaign against cosmetics animal testing, supporting training and education programmes as well as raising awareness with both stakeholders and consumers.

H&M has been pioneering in terms of its ethical credentials, teaming up with London College of Fashion on the first nationwide Fashion Recycling Week last week; working with textile innovators Worn Again on testing ground-breaking fibre-recycling technology; and pledging to help improve pay structures for textile workers worldwide.

"H&M is demonstrating great leadership by expanding its existing animal welfare commitments, and supporting the development of certification and educational programmes that will actively improve the welfare of animals such as sheep, goats, geese and ducks in the industry as a whole," said Chetana Mirle, director of HSI's farm animals department.

"H&M is now sending a strong message industry-wide that more needs to be done to end the suffering of animals in cosmetics tests," continued Troy Seidle, director of HSI's research and toxicology department. "We are extremely excited to be embarking on this collaboration with such an influential industry partner."

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