What’s the situation on household products?

There is a big difference in the laws on household products and personal toiletries (known as “cosmetics” - a heading that includes shaving products and shampoos).

In November 2015 a UK ban on the testing of household products on animals took effect after a coalition government pledge, but after the policy was watered down, the ban applies only to finished products.

There is a “qualified” ban on the testing of ingredients for household products, in line with European chemical testing rules, allowing chemical ingredients for pesticides to still be legally tested on animals in the UK.

Home Office figures revealed that the number of animals used for household product testing actually rose in the first year of the ban, to nearly 700.

The following year, 2017, there were 450 animal experiments for household product ingredients in the UK, the figures showed.

Some brands became hugely popular because they stood for being against animal testing. But some shoppers were shocked last year when two of their favourites, Ecover and Method, were taken over by SC Johnson - whose brands include Duck, Glade, Pledge and Mr Muscle - which openly admits using animals.

However, both say they are still cruelty-free. Method says it ensures its suppliers do not test on animals, and Ecover says it is certified by Cruelty Free International.

Shoppers may also be wary of claims such as “this product is not tested on animals”, which can hide the fact that its ingredients may be tested on animals, and “this company does not test on animals”, which may simply mean the company contracts out its testing of products and ingredients to other firms.