Is animal testing of cosmetic products banned in the UK and Europe?
No cosmetic product may be tested on animals anywhere in the UK or EU.
The ban on animal testing of cosmetic products in the UK and EU came into effect in September 2004. It has been illegal to test cosmetic product on animals in the UK and Europe since that time. In the UK, testing of cosmetic products was banned in 1997 after a voluntary initiative by industry which led to all licences for testing cosmetic products to be withdrawn.
Is animal testing of ingredients banned in the UK and Europe?
No ingredients used in cosmetics may be tested for that reason anywhere in the UK or EU.
The ban on animal testing of cosmetic ingredients in the UK and EU came into effect between March 2009 and 2013. It has been illegal to test cosmetic ingredients on animals, anywhere in the world, for the purpose of ensuring their safety in UK and EU cosmetics since that time. However, many cosmetic ingredients are also used by other industries some of which still require animal testing. Therefore, most if not all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients tested on animals by someone at some time. For over 40 years, the cosmetics industry has been at the forefront of developing test methods which do not require animals and which can be used by all industries to prove chemical safety. This work continues through the International Collaboration on Cosmetic Safety (ICCS).
Can you sell products tested on animals in the UK or Europe?
No cosmetic product tested on animals anywhere in the world to comply with UK or European cosmetics law may be sold in the UK or Europe.
However, some countries still require animal testing of cosmetics under their own laws. Such products may still be sold in the UK or Europe, but companies are not allowed to use this animal testing data to help prove the safety of the product for the UK and EU market. There are numerous ongoing initiatives from the cosmetics industry to work with those countries to explain why animal testing of such products in not necessary to ensure safety. An example of an important global collaboration is the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS).
Can you sell cosmetic products containing ingredients tested on animals in the UK or Europe?
No cosmetic product containing ingredients tested on animals anywhere in the world to comply with UK or European cosmetic laws may be sold in the UK or Europe.
However, many cosmetic ingredients are used by many other industries and may be tested on animals to comply with the laws of those countries. Therefore, most if not all cosmetics contain one or more ingredients tested on animals by someone at some time.
Is the UK cosmetics industry contributing to efforts for a global ban?
The UK and European cosmetics industry has invested heavily in developing alternative methodologies to animal testing and promoting the adoption of these methods globally.
The safety of products placed on the market is the highest priority of the cosmetics industry. The cosmetics industry has therefore been at the forefront of developing alternatives methodologies to animal testing for more than 40 years. This sustained commitment, and the significant funds (over €50 million) that have been invested in relevant science and research programmes, means that the cosmetics industry is now a leader in the alternatives to animal testing field. Further information about the development of animal-free methodologies may be found in Cosmetics Europe's Non Animal Approaches to Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Products (new link needed) and the ICCS.
Research into alternatives to animal testing is founded on a multidisciplinary partnership including industry, the regulatory community, validating agencies, Governments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and academia. Regulatory acceptance of alternative methods is a key priority in order to promote the use of these methods globally.
The UK cosmetics industry has worked tirelessly in collaboration with others to develop and validate alternative methods and promote their adoption globally. For example, CTPA is an active member of ICCS and contributes specifically to educational work with regulatory authorities and other stakeholders on new methods. In addition, scientific exchanges, workshops and demonstrations have been conducted with Authorities in China regarding how the system works in the UK and EU. Training workshops and similar events have been held to demonstrate the practical application of many in vitro alternative testing methods. We are aware that China has invested heavily in new laboratories and in training scientists and technicians in these techniques.
Has Brexit changed the laws around animal testing in the UK?
The UK's decision to leave the EU did not alter the strict safety laws that govern our cosmetic products, including the current ban on animal testing. The new UK cosmetics laws maintain the high standards of safety and the animal testing ban that were in place under the previous EU laws.
We know that some people may have concerns about the ban on animal testing, but we would like to stress that the UK cosmetics industry voluntarily abandoned animal testing seven years ahead of the EU-wide ban, so you can be assured this is not going to change.
Can you make 'not tested on animals' claims on cosmetic products in the UK?
All cosmetics sold in the UK could make the same claim now.
The common criteria for cosmetic claims, which are now part of UK cosmetics law, prohibit claims that are no more than claiming compliance with legal requirements. It could be argued that this applies to ‘not tested on animals’ claims since the ban on animal testing applies equally to all cosmetic products on the UK market.
However, explicit statements relating to a company's philosophy regarding animal testing ought to remain acceptable under the common criteria.
