The 7th Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EC, adopted in 2003, bans the testing of cosmetics on animals in the EU and the marketing of cosmetic products which were tested on animals. These bans are now coming into effect on a step by step basis:
11 September 2004 saw the introduction of the ban for finished cosmetic products and 11 March 2009 was the introduction date of the ban for cosmetic ingredients. On 11 March 2009 a marketing ban came into force for cosmetics that were tested on animals, with the exclusion of tests performed for three purposes related to the toxicity of the cosmetic products (toxicokinetics, reproductive toxicity and repeated-dose toxicity). A marketing ban for these categories of tests will be introduced as soon as alternative methods are available, and at the latest on 11 March 2013.
Under the Cosmetics Directive the Commission must publish annual Animal Testing Reports on animal use for cosmetics testing and on the further development of alternative methods. It also requires the Commission to inform the Parliament, at the latest two years before 11 March 2013, if for technical reasons, full replacement of the 2013 endpoint animal tests will not be achieved and to “put forward a legislative proposal” accordingly.
On 13 September 2011, the Commission published its 9th Animal Testing Report, which informs the European Parliament and the Council that alternative methods are not yet available to replace the animal texts covered by the 11 March 2013 marketing ban. The report however does not make any statement about the intention of the Commission to introduce the ban or postpone the deadline. The decision of the Commission in that regard is expected in the coming months.
For more information on this issue, please visit:
Animal Tests in the Field of Cosmetics (2009)
European Commission DG Sanco: Documents related to animal testing
Written questions:
Animal testing and cosmetics: arbitrary and unacceptable inclusion of skin sensitivity and carcinogenicity tests in the context of the 2013 deadline of the cosmetics directive by Sonia Alfano (ALDE)
Selection criteria for working group to report on alternative (non-animal) cosmetic testing methods by Sonia Alfano (ALDE)
Testing of cosmetic products or ingredients thereof on animals by Proinsias De Rossa (S&D)
