In the European Union, the Fixed Cut-Off Date (FCOD) Animal Testing Policy relates to the testing of ingredients used in the manufacture of cosmetics, toiletries and household products.
A company’s FCOD is a date after which none of the ingredients in its products has been tested on animals.
[1] The policy is recognised by animal welfare groups worldwide as the benchmark for cruelty free cosmetics / toiletries and household cleaning products because companies with a FCOD policy will not use any ingredient tested on animals after a specific date.
[1] The FCOD Animal Testing Policy is endorsed by the Naturewatch Foundation and Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny certification.
[2] Companies holding the Leaping Bunny cosmetics and personal care certification are encouraged to use a fixed cut-off date of 11 March 2013, the date on which a full European Union ban on animal testing for cosmetics came into force.