Cosmetics tested on animals outlawed

A sweeping ban on the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals come into force throughout the EU from today.

Animal experiments carried out to test cosmetics or their ingredients have been outlawed in the EU since 2009. However, companies have been free to sell products with a history of animal testing conducted outside Europe.

The new directive bans marketing in the EU of any cosmetics developed with the help of animal tests carried out after 2009, or 2013, depending on the type of procedure.

It follows 30 years of “cruelty free” campaigning by animal welfare groups.

RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: “Animal testing in the name of beauty has never been acceptable.

“This landmark legislation at the end of a long campaign sends out a loud and clear message to other countries and those companies operating outside the EU.

“Many cosmetic companies are multinational but this legislation means that they can’t avoid a test ban in the EU by carrying out tests in other countries.

“If their products or ingredients have been newly tested on animals then they cannot be sold in the EU, no matter where the testing took place.”

Legally, cosmetics include products used to “clean, perfume, and protect the body” as well as beauty aids. The definition casts a wide net over soaps, bath and shower products, deodorants and anti-perspirants, shampoos, hair sprays, colourants, shaving creams and foams, aftershave, toothpaste, mouthwash, sunscreen, and anti-wrinkle creams.

Before 2009, about 2,000 animals were being used for cosmetics animal testing across four countries: France, Czech Republic, Spain, and Romania.

However, millions more are still being used for the testing of chemicals.

Mr Grant said: “This is a great day for animals but it isn’t the end of the story — there are still many animals being used across the world to develop cosmetics products that will be sold outside of the EU.”

The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International are urging everyone to sign their pledge to end animal testing for cosmetics. The pledges are to be presented to governments and stakeholders around the world to demonstrate public support for a total worldwide ban.

Figures obtained by the Irish Examiner late last year showed Irish colleges had spent over €3m buying live animals for experimentation since 2005.

The number of animals used in tests in laboratories has rocketed 800% in this period, with welfare groups expressing concerns that Ireland is becoming a hub for animal experimentation.

Figures released under freedom of information show Trinity College Dublin has spent over €1.7m since 2005 buying animals for experimentation and research purposes. The university bought 25,598 rats, 66,297 mice, six rabbits, 107 pigs, and 41 dogs.