Paul Penders – Natural Herbal Skincare Products

A Matter of Conscience…

Posted on 29. Sep, 2009 by Steen in News & Articles, Videos

This was only supposed to be a short story. A few lines introducing the video below – and not much more.

The video is a cartoon that urges you not to buy cosmetics tested on animals. Exactly in line with one of our basic principles: No products from Paul Penders have EVER been tested on animals, as you might know.

But why is it so? What exactly made Paul Penders take this stand decades ago?

OK, this story will be a little longer than a few lines, because – out of curiosity – I had to ask Paul about the background. And Paul’s story turned out to be a very entertaining one; it is humorous, it is interesting, and it is terrifying, all at the same time.

Here is the story, as Paul Penders told it:

Paul Penders

When I started to make cosmetics, I had no idea that animal tests were needed. Back then, in Holland, I was asked to show up at a government laboratory, and then they would tell me how I for sure would know that my products were safe. I had no idea what was going to happen and I was very excited when I went. What I did not know, was that it was a university animal testing laboratory…

Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a professor in a white coat. I handled him a box with my products which were supposed to be tested. Then he told me the products were going to be tested on animals! I was curious that my products were going to be tested on animals and not on human beings – because I was making products for people, not for animals…

I became excited and thought they were going to wash dogs and cats and blow them dry… while the animals would happily wag their tails and look shiny and clean. So I asked the professor, please let me see how you guys do that… I thought I could maybe give a helping hand, before the long travel back to my hometown at the other end of the country.

A free, healthy and happy rabbit

Sure, said the white coat and he then led me through the big building and we entered a room: I saw a long row of rabbits in cages with their heads fastened in wood and limbs cramped. Some had terrible damaged eyes, swollen, gray, and some were so crippled that it defies description. I became so upset seeing this. “Hey Prof.”, I asked, “You are not going to use my products on these innocent creatures – right?”

He said: “But yes, Paul. This is why the Dutch FDA (Food & Drug Administration) sent you here today”

I kept on staring at the animals and thought I would become crazy – so much pain and misery were inflicted to these animals – and then I needed to flee the room to throw up! When I came back, I told the white coat, that he would NOT and NEVER be allowed to do testing on animals with ANY of Paul Penders products or ANY of the ingredients.

The white coat started to laugh in a devilish way and said: “OK, Paul. Then I will have to call the highest FDA officer and tell him about this. You will be getting many legal problems, and at the end they will close your factory.”

I left, and he called…

Later, I was asked to attend a meeting at the boss of the FDA. He told me that I was not working according to the law. He warned me and told me to start animal testing immediately or they would take legal action against me. I was in deep trouble, because I had a brand new factory and I did not want to go bankrupt.

So I started a campaign to inform and warn consumers and government parties about what was going on. Nobody actually knew about all these terrible things that happened to the animals behind closed doors – in order to “ensure that products were safe!”

I got attention right from the beginning of the campaign and I became the first animal rights activist who was fighting against the testing of cosmetics on animals.

I used a convent of nuns. I was on TV and travelled around Europe and gained much support. But at the end… Well, the law is the law, and they came to close my factory.

Luckily, before they came, I had moved the entire company outside the country; to USA.

The FDA in USA turned out to be much more intelligent and they allowed me to start manufacturing there immediately. They used the GRAS list (Generally Recognized As Safe) when approving my products, explaining that when the ingredients were approved already – which they were – there was no need to do any testing on animals.

Ironically, after several years, Holland became the first country to ban testing of cosmetic products on animals by law.

Though ironically, it was a victory and I was a very happy man. Later on England and many other countries followed.

I never returned to Holland and I forgave the professor in the white coat, because after all, what he did was only to enforce the law as it was back then.

Sometimes law is so stupid and illogical and it takes a fight to overthrow or change it. We did it – and it was a remarkable journey.

Paul Penders

Related stories:

• Find Out If You Support Testing on Animals
• Paul’s Story

Tags: animal rights, animal rights activist, ban on testing cosmetics on animals, GRAS list, natural organic cosmetics, natural organic health care, natural organic skin care, safe cosmetic products, testing cosmetics on animals