Features
New Law Bans Cosmetics Tests on Animals – Almost
On 11 March 2009, the European Union (EU) enacted an amendment to its Cosmetics Directive which implements a partial ban on the sale anywhere in the EU of cosmetics and toiletries containing ingredients which have been tested on animals. PETA welcomes this fantastic news as a mark of real progress in the cruel minefield of animal testing.
The testing of products and ingredients on animals was banned in the UK in 1998, so it is important to remember that the issue here is the sale of products which contain animal-tested ingredients. Up until now, shop shelves have been stocked with products from all over the world, from countries and companies still carrying out animal tests which are not allowed in the UK. However, welcome as it is, the new EU ban doesn't completely end cosmetics testing on animals, so caring consumers should still pay close attention to what they buy.
Although the EU is making great strides, make-up and toiletries containing animal-tested ingredients can still be found in many high street shops after the 11 March directive went into effect. Fortunately, many cruelty-free products are also available; the manufacturers of these products are sparing animals from suffering by going above and beyond the legal requirements.
The Good Points
The ban means that fewer cosmetics tests using animals will be performed in Europe and that non-EU companies hoping to export their products to Europe will have to change their ways too. What's really exciting about the ban is that its deadline has helped advance the development of humane testing methods, such as the cruelty-free skin-irritation test which PETA helped fund. These humane tests can also be used for some drugs and other chemicals – so everyone's a winner. In addition, the ban is an important step forward because it makes the point that animals shouldn't be used for trivial purposes.
The Bad Points
The Cosmetics Directive has loopholes and exceptions which mean that some animal testing can still be performed, and ingredients which are tested on animals can still make their way into products on store shelves in the UK. These loopholes include the following:
- Certain kinds of animal tests will still be allowed until 2013.
- Animal tests could still be used for ingredients to ensure that they meet other requirements, such as the requirements of other laws (for example, to determine if the ingredients could cause damage to the environment) or laws abroad.
That means it's still important to choose carefully when you buy cosmetics and toiletries. You can read more about product testing and see the wide range of cruelty-free companies consumers have to choose from by clicking the button below.
