EU Commission responds to citizens-driven crackdown on animal testing in cosmetics

26 Jul 2023 --- Promising to accelerate legislative moves against animal testing in cosmetics, the European Commission (EC) has openly responded to a European Citizens’ Initiative that petitions against animal cruelty. Backed by more than a million signatures, the landmark initiative calls to end all animal experiments in the EU alongside barring the sale of animal-tested cosmetics.

In its action plan drafted in response to the citizens-led initiative, EU leadership says it plans to “ultimately eliminate” animal testing for chemicals, while presenting “longer-term” proposals to reduce and phase out the use of animals in research and education.

The governing body targets three main goals in response to the initiative: “to protect and strengthen the cosmetics animal testing ban, transform EU chemicals legislation and modernize science in the EU.”

However, campaigners at Cruelty Free International are flagging an “outrageous” play by the EC, which they claim has “ignored citizens’ calls” to uphold the ban on animal testing for cosmetics, which was established by legislators over a decade ago.”

Cruelty Free International stresses that animal tests are still being required for chemicals handled by industrial workers or which may be released into the environment.The initiative, titled “Save Cruelty-free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without Animal Testing,” was hailed an “unprecedented milestone” by its organizers, with more than 1.2 million validated signatures in January. It is backed by beauty brands The Body Shop and Dove.

“Disturbingly” animal testing is set to surge
In its open response, the EC “welcomes the initiative and acknowledges that animal welfare remains a strong concern for EU citizens.” It notes this “especially reflected” in the full ban of animal testing for cosmetics, which has been in place in the EU since 2013.

The governing body is also exploring the “possibility to coordinate the activities of the member states and national authorities” linked to animal testing reduction, along with conducting “exploratory workshops” and training initiatives for early career scientists.

But despite even the initial imposition of an EU ban on animal testing for cosmetics ingredients in 2009, Cruelty Free International underlines that animal tests are still being required for chemicals handled by industrial workers or which may be released into the environment, under the EU’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation.

It also suggests that proposed updates to REACH “disturbingly” indicate that animal testing for chemicals is set to surge over the coming years.

Dr. Julia Fentem, Unilever’s global head of safety, environmental and regulatory sciences, tells Personal Care Insights: “The failure to uphold the cosmetics animal testing ban, which received such incredible support from citizens across Europe, is shocking and difficult to justify.”

“Consequently, the struggle to save cruelty-free cosmetics through enabling regulatory adoption of modern non-animal safety science must continue, and we will play an active role to accelerate phasing out animal testing through our involvement in the European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing and other collaborative initiatives.”

EU leaders respond to animal testing crackdown
In response to the criticisms, the EC says it plans to launch a set of “legislative and non-legislative actions” to further reduce animal testing.

The European body maintains that its aim is to ultimately “move to an animal-free regulatory system under chemicals legislation” (e.g. REACH, Biocidal Product Regulation, Plant Protection Products Regulation and human and veterinary medicines) and continue “strongly supporting” alternatives to animal testing.

On the other hand, Cruelty Free International says: “Rather than waiting for the EU courts to resolve this issue in an ongoing case, citizens’ demands must be immediately addressed to prevent further animal suffering.”

Depth of suffering for laboratory animals
In the EU and Norway, Cruelty Free International stresses that 7.9 million animals suffered in laboratories in 2020 – among them rabbits, mice, cats and dogs.

“Substances are forcibly administered down their throats, and they are infected with debilitating diseases, genetically manipulated, given brain damage through surgery, exposed to severe pain, and used in breeding programs that perpetuate this cycle of suffering,” details the organization.

In the EU and Norway, Cruelty Free International stresses that 7.9 million animals suffered in laboratories in 2020 – among them rabbits, mice, cats and dogs.Although the EC is exploring actions to accelerate non-animal testing methods – such as organ-on-a-chip technologies – Cruelty Free International argues these “do not constitute the root-and-branch reform demanded by EU citizens.”

The EC maintains it will “continue to strongly support” the development of alternative approaches to animal testing with appropriate funding. 

Consumers demand change
According to leading market researcher Innova Market Insights, “Not Tested on Animals” is ranked among the top product claims this year. The labeling has been capturing more of consumer awareness and is driven forward by regulatory shifts such as Canada’s recent “landmark” ban on the sale and trade of cosmetics based on animal testing.

Last month, the European Chemicals Agency published its fifth report on the use of alternatives to testing on animals for the REACH Regulation. It finds that in vitro non-animal tests have had a “significant uptake” in gathering data on substances for product development.

Growing public awareness in the EU and Canada echoes a similar sentiment in the UK, where local policymakers recently came under scrutiny after the media aired suspicions that the government was abandoning a ban on animal testing.

Responding to this, Britain’s Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association publicly stressed that animal testing on cosmetic products is not being reintroduced in the UK.

In part one of a recent Personal Care Insights series on animal testing, it was revealed that loopholes in EU regulations mean that consumers often unknowingly purchase products that have been tested on animals.

By Benjamin Ferrer