Defending Animals for 51 Years
South Africa’s longest-standing voice for animals — exposing cruelty in vivisection, entertainment, factory farming, cosmetic testing and the wildlife trade, and certifying the brands that refuse it. Through peaceful and lawful means, since 1975.
Over five decades of impact
Founded 1975 in Cape Town
Across 23 categories, regularly reviewed
From entertainment to experiments
Numbers alone don’t tell the story. Behind each is the work of campaigners, members, and supporters who chose cruelty-free over convenience.
Three pillars. Fifty-one years. One mission.
BWC is a member-supported NPO. We work through three connected programs that together defend animals across South Africa.
Campaign
We mobilize public action against cruelty in entertainment, fashion, food, and laboratories. Public pressure changes policy.
50+ active campaigns since 1975. Currently focused on animals in circuses, cosmetic animal testing, Cape Peninsula baboons and fireworks regulation.
Certify
We endorse brands free from animal testing across 23 product categories. Our Humane Guide is the trusted reference for South African consumers.
160+ brands listed, each regularly reviewed. Ingredient lists, supplier chains, and parent-company policies checked.
Educate
We bring cruelty-free thinking into schools, communities, and conversations. Change starts with awareness.
School visits, parliamentary submissions, social campaigns, media engagement, and direct community outreach.
Campaign, Certify, Educate
How brands earn the BWC mark.
Every brand in the Humane Guide passes a rigorous 4-step certification. Here’s what we check.
- 01
Application
Brand submits product range, ingredient lists, and supplier disclosures via our endorsement application.
- 02
Audit
BWC team verifies no animal testing, no animal-derived ingredients (or vegetarian-acceptable per category rules), and no parent-company conflicts.
- 03
Endorsement
Approved brands receive the BWC certification mark and inclusion in the Humane Guide and our marketing channels.
- 04
Ongoing Review
Every endorsed brand is regularly reviewed. We confirm that no new suppliers or products have been added, that ownership has not changed, and that no parent company has begun funding animal testing. New ingredients are assessed as they appear.
Where we’re focused now
Stay informed.
Why choose cruelty-free?
A closer look at why your everyday choices matter — and how the Humane Guide makes shopping without cruelty simple.
Watch more from BWCDiscover Brands Free From Animal Testing
160+ brands across 23 categories, audited against our animal-testing requirements.