Cruelty-free is a social movement that seeks to avoid all products of cruelty. The term cruelty-free was first used in this way by Lady Dowding who persuaded manufacturers of fake furs to use the label Beauty Without Cruelty and went on to found the charity Beauty Without Cruelty in 1959.[1] The term was popularised in the USA in the 1970s by Marcia Pearson who founded the group Fashion With Compassion.[2]
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The cruelty-free movement has developed from veganism into a philosophy of life that aims to avoid all the products of cruelty to humans or animals.
Products avoided include those that contain part of a dead animal or materials obtained from an animal by means of cruelty (such as keeping the animal in a confined space or separating mother from child etc.). Also avoided are products of child slavery and sweatshop labor.
National Cruelty-Free Week is an event in the United Kingdom every year arranged by the BUAV. The 2006 event was from 17–23 July. Other, similar, events include: National Vegetarian Week, UK Vegan Week and World Vegan Day, which takes place each year on November 1.