Is Imperial Leather vegan? Who owns Imperial Leather?
British brand of soaps, toiletries and healthcare products including bar soaps, shower gels, hand washes, bath soaks and body lotions
The short answer
Imperial Leather is owned by PZ Cussons 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 Imperial Leather vegan?
Some vegan linesOnly some products are vegan
Company's own statementSource: The Good Shopping GuideIs Imperial Leather cruelty-free?
Not cruelty-freeThe brand or its owner sells animal-derived products
Company's own statementSource: Ethically EngineeredDoes Imperial Leather or its owner sell animal products?
Sells animal productsWhile Imperial Leather brand itself does not contain animal-derived ingredients in most products, its parent company PZ Cussons manufactures and sells animal-derived products. PZ Cussons' principal activities include manufacture and distribution of 'edible oils, fats and spreads and nutritional products,' and its subsidiaries manufacture dairy products including milk and milk powder. Imperial Leather brand itself produces some milk and honey products not suitable for vegans.
Who owns Imperial Leather?
PZ Cussons plcOwned by PZ Cussons plc
Official registrySource: The Good Shopping Guide
Last verified 13 September 2026
Ownership chain
- Brand
Imperial Leather
- Parent company
PZ Cussons states that as a UK-based manufacturer it is obligated under EU regulations not to test products or use ingredients tested on animals. The company tests only on human volunteers as necessary for safety assurance and only in vitro microbiological assurance testing is conducted. They require manufacturers to comply with this policy irrespective of location.Company's own statement
Last verified 13 September 2026
Certifications
Leaping Bunny
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
Leaping Bunny: Imperial Leather is recorded as certified.
PETA Cruelty-Free
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
PETA Cruelty-Free: Imperial Leather is recorded as certified.
The Vegan Society
activeChecked 13 September 2026 · Registry entry
The Vegan Society: Imperial Leather is recorded as certified.
What this means
Our record lists Imperial Leather as a brand of PZ Cussons 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.
Imperial Leather appears on 3 schemes we check: Leaping Bunny, PETA Cruelty-Free, The Vegan Society. 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 PZ Cussons plc states: PZ Cussons states that as a UK-based manufacturer it is obligated under EU regulations not to test products or use ingredients tested on animals. The company tests only on human volunteers as necessary for safety assurance and only in vitro microbiological assurance testing is conducted. They require manufacturers to comply with this policy irrespective of location. We publish sourced facts and dates so you can judge them yourself; see how we verify.
Independent vegan alternatives
- AesopVeganCruelty-free
- AvedaVeganCruelty-free
- Barry MVeganCruelty-free
- Bulldog SkincareVeganCruelty-free
- ByomaVeganCruelty-free
- e.l.f. CosmeticsVeganCruelty-free
Frequently asked questions
- Is Imperial Leather vegan?
- Only some products are vegan. Recorded status: some vegan lines, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Who owns Imperial Leather?
- Imperial Leather is recorded as owned by PZ Cussons plc.
- Is Imperial Leather cruelty-free?
- The brand or its owner sells animal-derived products. Recorded status: not cruelty-free, last verified 13 September 2026.
- Does PZ Cussons plc test on animals?
- Our record for PZ Cussons plc states: PZ Cussons states that as a UK-based manufacturer it is obligated under EU regulations not to test products or use ingredients tested on animals. The company tests only on human volunteers as necessary for safety assurance and only in vitro microbiological assurance testing is conducted. They require manufacturers to comply with this policy irrespective of location.