Animal testing, one of the beauty industry’s biggest debates, is entering a new era, one driven by economic growth rather than ethics alone. Lush, a company that holds anti-animal-testing messaging at its core, is making a new case against cruelty, thanks to a newly commissioned research initiative by researchers at the Common Sense Policy Group at Northumbria University.
The research report argues that the UK’s non-animal New Approach Methodology (NAM) sector has undergone significant growth. The sector expanded from £947 million ($1.267 billion) to more than £1.2 billion ($1.61 billion) between 2021 and 2024, with employment rising by nearly 13% annually.
The findings were presented to nearly 100 Members of Parliament and policymakers in the UK, and were meant to serve as evidence for the economic benefits of non-animal testing. The study states that if the current growth rate continues, the UK’s non-animal NAM sector could reach £2.12 billion ($2.83 billion) in turnover, the total revenue generated by the sector, and employ more than 12,000 people by 2030.
However, economic gain requires investment, an area which has historically been lacking in the UK government. In 2019, non-animal NAMs only received approximately £2 million ($2.675 billion) in public funding, while animal-based research received up to £1.1 billion ($1.47 billion). This discrepancy underscores the need for greater investment in non-animal testing to unlock the economic growth highlighted in Lush’s research.
Lush has a longstanding history of fighting animal testing, with notable examples like its Lush Prize, the largest global fund in the non-animal testing sector. In collaboration with not-for-profit co-operative Ethical Consumer, the Lush Prize awards scientists, researchers, and campaigners for their dedication and contributions. Lush also partners with vegan testing facilities such as XCellR8 to develop and utilize human cell-based testing instead of animal testing. The brand also conducts annual audits to ensure ethical compliance and cruelty-free practices throughout its entire supply chain.
Karl Bygrave, Director of Lush Cosmetics, stated in a press release that the Lush Prize has produced extraordinary scientific advances, made possible by investments in non-animal research. “This is a new frontier that the UK should be at the forefront of to both benefit the economy and the health and well-being of society as a whole,” Bygrave explained, demonstrating Lush’s belief that non-animal testing is the new era of ethical science, while still providing significant economic benefit.
Lush believes that these findings illustrate that support for and investment in non-animal testing are not only ethically imperative but also an opportunity for the UK to establish itself as a global leader in human-relevant science and economic growth. This research aims to reinforce Lush’s position as more than a retail provider but also as an ethical advocate and investor in scientific innovation.
The beauty industry’s conversation surrounding animal testing is evolving, morphing into a multifaceted discussion that includes economic opportunity rather than ethics alone. As companies and governments increasingly invest in alternative testing methods, cruelty-free science is shifting from a moral duty to a business strategy. If successful, Lush’s commitment to non-animal testing could have a major influence on the beauty market, as implementing cruelty-free testing methods could reshape how products are made, tested, and brought to market.
