Cosmetics

ABOUT THE ISSUE

For determining the safety of cosmetic products they have been tested on animals. However, the pain, distress and suffering caused to animals used in cosmetics tests cannot be justified.
Thousands of previously tested cosmetics ingredients are already available to companies and consumers and these existing safe ingredients can be used and reformulated without the need for further testing. A complete ban on the use of new cosmetics ingredients tested on animals will not affect the safety of consumers

WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION

After several postponements, the EU cosmetics Directive 2003/15/EC introduced fixed deadlines for phasing out tests of cosmetic products on animals. The use of EU-approved alternative test methods will be required instead (Directive 2003/15/EC). The final ban on marketing and testing of cosmetics on animals comes into force in March 2013.
However, in case alternative methods are not developed and validated before 2013, the Commission may decide in 2011 to delay the ban.

WHAT ARE WE CALLING FOR

• A complete ban on the use of new cosmetic ingredients tested on animals.
• The full introduction of the marketing ban, with no postponement of the 2013 deadline regardless of the availability of alternative methods.