ASOS Animal Welfare Policy

ASOS firmly believes it is not acceptable for animals to suffer in the name of fashion or cosmetics. No animals should be slaughtered specifically to produce products sold through any of ASOS’ websites. All animal materials used must be by-products of the meat industry.

ASOS is committed to working with industry expert groups to support the ongoing research, development and implementation of animal welfare standards and transparency in the leather supply chain. ASOS is a member of the Leather Working Group and is working towards sourcing all skins from LWG rated tanneries, to ensure good environmental compliance and traceability.

ASOS requires animal material suppliers to adopt industry best practice rearing, transportation and slaughter standards, based on the internationally recognised Five Freedoms which recommend animals should be afforded: 1. freedom from hunger and thirst; 2. freedom from discomfort; 3. freedom from pain, injury and disease; 4. freedom to express normal behaviour; 5. freedom from fear and distress. These higher welfare standards are referenced throughout this policy under the term “good animal husbandry”.

Animal products and synthetic materials made to look like animal products must be clearly labelled as faux on the product description and care label to avoid confusion.

ASOS requires ASOS Brand suppliers and brands to provide information on the name of the species of animal used in our products (both common and scientific name) and the country of origin of where the animal was reared.

All ASOS Brand suppliers, brands (including Outlet) and Marketplace sellers are required to comply with the points raised in this policy.

Endangered species

Materials derived from vulnerable or endangered species appearing on either the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) or the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) lists must not be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ websites.

Fur

Real fur or pelts must not be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ websites. This includes Mongolian lambs fur and Karakul lambskin pelts from aborted or new born lambs.

Leather & Skin

  • Only cow, buffalo, sheep, goat or pig leather or skin, sourced as a by-product of the meat industry and from producers with good animal husbandry can be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ websites.
  • Leather or skin must not be obtained from aborted animals i.e. slink and karakul, whilse the animal is still alive or from calves or lambs.
  • Leather or skin must not be obtained from animals kept in confinement systems i.e in veal or sow crates.
  • Leather or skin must not be obtained from wild-caught animals, exotic animals or vulnerable and endangered species.
  • ASOS is a member of the Leather Working Group and promotes leather and skins sourced from tanneries which have been awarded with Gold, Silver or Bronze certification.

Angora & other rabbit hair

Angora and other rabbit hair must not be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ website.

Silk

Silk must not be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ website.

Wool

  • Sheep and lamb wool must be sourced from producers with good animal husbandry.
  • Merino wool must not be sourced from farmers who practice mulesing.
  • ASOS encourages all suppliers to source wool from Responsible Wool Standard
  • (RWS) certified farmers.

Cashmere & mohair

  • Mohair and Cashmere must not be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ websites.

Other animal hair

  • Only cow, buffalo, yak, horse, goat, pig and alpaca hair from producers with good animal husbandry can be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ websites.
  • Hair must not be obtained from vulnerable or endangered species.
  • Hair must not be harvested by live plucking.
  • Animal hair must not be used in make up or shaving brushes. Synthetic alternatives must be clearly labelled as synthetic.

Feathers & down

  • Feathers and down must not be used in our own-label products. This includes down insulated garments, as well as feathers used in trims, jewellery and other accessories.
  • ASOS encourages brands to use synthetic alternatives to feathers and down in their products. Only products from brands that are able to provide Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Traceable Down Standard (TDS) certified down, can be sold on ASOS.

Bone, shell, horn and teeth

Bone, horn, shell (including mother of pearl) and teeth must not be used in products sold through any of ASOS’ websites.

Animal imagery

Animal imagery or materials featured on products sold through any of ASOS’ websites or used for marketing, production and communication purposes must be sensitive to animal welfare issues, such as the depiction of animals in captivity, and must comply with ASOS’ Animal Welfare Policy. Animals and animal derived materials which are banned from ASOS products must not be used for marketing, production and communication purposes.

Animal testing

  • ASOS Make-Up is not tested on animals.
  • In accordance with the EU animal testing ban that came into effect on 11th March 2013, brands selling cosmetic products in the EU through any of ASOS’ websites must comply with the requirements of EU law.
  • Some beauty brands sold through ASOS.com, who also sell their products through other channels, may still be testing on animals if required by local market regulations. ASOS is committed to working with the industry to achieve a worldwide ban on animal testing.

Full Policy

You can read the ASOS animal welfare policy in full, here. If you have any questions or concerns please drop an email to sell@asos.com