Europe's leading animal protection groups unite to call on MEPs to defend EU cosmetics testing bans
EU bans on animal testing for cosmetics seriously at risk as European chemicals legislation undermines intention of EU legislators and wishes of public
Following calls from EU authorities for cosmetics ingredients to be tested on animals, we join Europe's other leading animal protection groups in urging MEPs to uphold the ground-breaking cosmetics testing bans. Our joint statement and list of signatories is here.
Although cosmetics testing on animals is banned under the EU Cosmetics Regulation, the European Chemicals Agency and the European Commission argue that even ingredients used exclusively in cosmetics may be tested on animals under EU chemicals legislation REACH, if there is a possibility of workforce exposure.
For cosmetics ingredients in other types of products, there is a risk that animal tests are required even without possible workforce exposure. The recently launched Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability is also set to re-open the Cosmetics Regulation, with the potential to introduce new test requirements at the expense of more animals' lives.
We call on the European Parliament and the European Commission to ensure:
- The EU bans on animal testing for cosmetics and the marketing of ingredients tested on animals are fully upheld and implemented as intended by the legislators.
- EU test requirements – including for REACH – do not undermine the bans but instead apply a substance-tailored approach to ensure consumers, workers, and environment are protected without more animal tests.
- A robust testing strategy for cosmetics ingredients is devised using only available non-animal methods so that the implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability reflects the overwhelming support for strengthening – rather than weakening – the protection of animals in Europe.