Is Dettol vegan? Who owns Dettol?
Dettol is a brand line of antiseptic and disinfection products including liquid antiseptics, soaps, hand washes, sanitizers, body washes, wipes, and surface cleaners.
The short answer
Dettol is owned by Reckitt Benckiser Group plc. Only some products are vegan. The brand or its owner sells animal-derived products. The wider brand or its owner sells animal products.
Is Dettol vegan?
Some vegan linesOnly some products are vegan
Company's own statementSource: MedinoIs Dettol cruelty-free?
Not cruelty-freeThe brand or its owner sells animal-derived products
Company's own statementSource: MedinoDoes Dettol or its owner sell animal products?
Sells animal productsWhile individual Dettol products vary (the antiseptic liquid contains no animal-derived ingredients), at least one Dettol product line (Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser) contains an animal-derived ingredient. Additionally, Reckitt Benckiser, the parent company, produces animal-derived ingredients across its portfolio and has confirmed use of such ingredients in some products.
Who owns Dettol?
Reckitt Benckiser Group plcOwned by Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
Official registrySource
Last verified 13 September 2026
Ownership chain
- Brand
Dettol
- Parent company
Reckitt Benckiser's stated position is that it conducts animal testing only when required by law or when ethically obliged to ensure safety and efficacy, particularly for infant nutrition products. The company states: "RB products must comply with the regulations in countries where they are marketed, and this may on limited occasions require animal studies to support the safety or efficacy of certain ingredients and/or products. It is our policy not to conduct or commission tests unless required by government agencies or where RB is ethically obliged to ensure the safety and efficacy of our infant nutrition products."Company's own statement
Last verified 13 September 2026
Certifications
Leaping Bunny
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
Leaping Bunny: Dettol is recorded as not listed.
PETA Beauty Without Bunnies
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
PETA Beauty Without Bunnies: Dettol is recorded as not listed.
What this means
Our record lists Dettol as a brand of Reckitt Benckiser Group plc. Ownership is a separate question from how a product is made: a brand can hold its own certifications while its parent company operates under different policies.
Dettol appears on 2 schemes we check: Leaping Bunny, PETA Beauty Without Bunnies. Each scheme sets its own criteria, so read the certifier's own entry, linked above, for what it covers.
On animal testing, our record for Reckitt Benckiser Group plc states: Reckitt Benckiser's stated position is that it conducts animal testing only when required by law or when ethically obliged to ensure safety and efficacy, particularly for infant nutrition products. The company states: "RB products must comply with the regulations in countries where they are marketed, and this may on limited occasions require animal studies to support the safety or efficacy of certain ingredients and/or products. It is our policy not to conduct or commission tests unless required by government agencies or where RB is ethically obliged to ensure the safety and efficacy of our infant nutrition products." We publish sourced facts and dates so you can judge them yourself; see how we verify.
Independent vegan alternatives
- AstonishVeganCruelty-free
- Bio-DVeganCruelty-free
- Cheeky PandaVeganCruelty-free
- EcoverVeganCruelty-free
- Faith in NatureVeganCruelty-free
- HomethingsVeganCruelty-free
Frequently asked questions
- Is Dettol vegan?
- Only some products are vegan. Recorded status: some vegan lines, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Who owns Dettol?
- Dettol is recorded as owned by Reckitt Benckiser Group plc.
- Is Dettol cruelty-free?
- The brand or its owner sells animal-derived products. Recorded status: not cruelty-free, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Does Reckitt Benckiser Group plc test on animals?
- Our record for Reckitt Benckiser Group plc states: Reckitt Benckiser's stated position is that it conducts animal testing only when required by law or when ethically obliged to ensure safety and efficacy, particularly for infant nutrition products. The company states: "RB products must comply with the regulations in countries where they are marketed, and this may on limited occasions require animal studies to support the safety or efficacy of certain ingredients and/or products. It is our policy not to conduct or commission tests unless required by government agencies or where RB is ethically obliged to ensure the safety and efficacy of our infant nutrition products."