The Body Shop: Social Responsibility or Sustained Greenwashing?

Body Shop did not test its cosmetic products on animals and did not commission others to do it on its behalf, as it considered this practice unethical. Along with customers and animal protection groups, Body Shop campaigned for a change in the law on the testing of animals for cosmetics purposes in the UK, Europe, the Netherlands, Germany, and Japan. Its campaigns had some major successes. In 1996, Body Shop presented the European Union with a petition signed by over 4,000,000 people, which at the time was the largest petition against animal testing. Body Shop was also instrumental in the UK government's decision in 1998 to ban animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients.

Though the company had a distinguished record as a pioneer of corporate responsibility, it had its fair share of critics. From the 1990s, Body Shop faced increased scrutiny regarding its activities and claims. Business ethics expert Jon Entine (Entine) was one of Body Shop's fiercest critics. Entine accused Body Shop and its founders of being hypocrites, as in his opinion, they were preying on the idealism of consumers, while not being any different from other companies in their pursuit of profit...