With its disputed interpretation of the relationship between the European Union’s laws on chemicals and its cosmetics animal testing bans, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is requiring tests in which animals are forced to ingest or inhale ingredients used exclusively in cosmetics.

ECHA’s position was challenged in 2018 by cosmetics ingredients manufacturer, Symrise AG, before ECHA’s Board of Appeal following its decision to request animal testing for two UV-filters solely used as cosmetics ingredients.

Although the Board of Appeal rejected many of the arguments put forward, Symrise last year announced that it would be appealing the decision, this time to the European Court of Justice. Cruelty Free Europe is pleased to have been accepted as an intervener in this very important case.

Our Director of Science, Dr Katy Taylor, said: “We have been working on these issues for many years and are glad that we will be able to bring our experience and expertise to bear in support of this appeal by Symrise. Overturning the ECHA Board of Appeal decision would not only save the lives of over 5,000 animals for this specific case, but it would also require a fundamental rethink by ECHA and the Commission which continue to undermine the EU’s animal testing and marketing bans for cosmetics and save countless more animals.

“In the meantime, we are calling on ECHA and the European Commission to pause all new animal testing for cosmetics ingredients and to bring all stakeholders to the table to talk about how we can enable the fullest use of next generation animal-free science and protect and strengthen the bans.”

If you live in the UK, you may have seen that the Home Office has disappointingly decided to follow the approach of the EU institutions. Please sign and share our #TargetZero petition to bring all animal testing to an end in the UK.