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On 8th anniversary of EU bans, we join the call for EU to immediately suspend animal tests on cosmetics ingredients

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Bans must be upheld as they were intended and as citizens expect

As a member of the Cruelty Free Europe network we have joined forces with other leading animal protection organisations to urge EU authorities to immediately call off animal tests for ingredients used in cosmetics. 

On 11th March 2013, cosmetics tests on animals and the sale of cosmetics relying on such tests were banned in the EU. The EU Cosmetics Regulation incentivised the development of superior, non-animal test methods, setting the  standard for initiatives worldwide. 

Eight years on, animals are still suffering and dying in tests for cosmetics ingredients, including under industrial chemicals law REACH

The call for the suspension of tests follows an open letter sent to European Commission President in December, signed by 463 cosmetics brands and animal protection organisations.  

The letter emphasised the support of European citizens for the cosmetics testing bans and urged the authorities to uphold them as intended by legislators and in line with the European Parliament’s support for a global end to cosmetics testing on animals. 

Our Director of Public Affairs, Kerry Postlewhite, said: “The immediate suspension of animal test requirements for ingredients used exclusively in cosmetics would enable the industry to sit with regulators and decision-makers to demonstrate that rather than subject thousands of animals to more suffering for cosmetics, they can assure safety using a toolbox of modern, animal-free approaches.”

As well as Cruelty Free Europe, Eurogroup for Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) and Humane Society International Europe are also asking EU leaders to protect the  cosmetics animal testing ban.