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Leaping Bunny vs Vegan Society: what the logos really mean
Both logos signal ethical beauty — but only one guarantees no animal ingredients. A clear comparison of the world's two biggest cruelty-free and vegan certifications.
May 15, 2026 · 4 min read · By VeggieOS Editorial
You're standing in the cosmetics aisle and you see two logos: a leaping rabbit and a sunflower with a V. Both mean "ethical," right? Almost — but the difference matters.
The Leaping Bunny
Run by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), the Leaping Bunny certifies that no animal testing was done at any stage of product development — by the brand, its suppliers, or any third party. It is the gold standard for cruelty-free.
Leaping Bunny does NOT guarantee vegan. A Leaping Bunny lipstick can still contain beeswax, carmine, or lanolin.
The Vegan Society sunflower
The Vegan Society's trademark certifies that the product contains no animal ingredients and was developed and manufactured without animal testing. It also prohibits genetically modified organisms involving animal genes.
It is the most rigorous vegan certification globally, with over 65,000 registered products.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Leaping Bunny | Vegan Society |
|---|---|---|
| No animal testing | Yes | Yes |
| No animal ingredients | Not required | Yes |
| Supplier audit | Yes | Yes |
| Annual re-certification | Yes | Yes |
| Sold in mainland China* | Not allowed | Allowed with caveats |
*Mainland China historically required animal testing for imported cosmetics — rules relaxed in 2021 but exceptions remain.
Which logo should you trust?
- Want cruelty-free + vegan? Look for both logos, or a single brand certified by both organizations (e.g., Pacifica, Lush, Beauty Without Cruelty).
- Vegan only? The Vegan Society sunflower is the safer bet.
- Cruelty-free only? Leaping Bunny is the strongest cruelty-free standard.
How VeggieOS helps
Scan any cosmetic with the VeggieOS app and we'll show every certification it holds, flag animal-derived ingredients, and recommend a vegan + cruelty-free alternative if you want one.