Animal testing in cosmetics in Europe: You thought it was over?

Across Europe, millions of animals are used each year in experiments that inflict often severe suffering but rarely deliver on their primary promise of better health for humans. The victims are mice, fish, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs and monkeys.

We must end this suffering – for animals and for better medicine, better product safety and better protection of the environment.

We want science that is humane, relevant to humans and animal-free, properly funded and fully used – that's why we need you to join us and sign a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling on the European Commission to do the following :

• Protect and strengthen the ban on animal testing for cosmetics
• Transforming EU chemicals regulations
• Commit to developing a concrete plan for the transition to non-animal science

Did you think animal testing for cosmetics was already banned in the EU?

Animal testing for cosmetic products and their ingredients was banned in Europe in 2009, and a ban on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals has been in place since 2013. We have fought hard with you and Members of Parliament European to obtain these laws. However, despite the bans, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is requiring new animal testing for certain ingredients – even those used exclusively in cosmetics and for ingredients whose safety in use has long been established. Help us protect and strengthen the ban on animal testing for cosmetics by signing the ECI.

About the campaign

Dove and The Body Shop have joined PETA, Cruelty Free Europe and Humane Society International Europe (HSI Europe), as well as Eurogroup for Animals and the European Coalition to End Animal Testing (ECAEE), which represent more than 100 organizations from 26 EU Member States, to urgently mobilize one million European citizens to defend cosmetics not tested on animals in Europe against threats to the long-standing ban on animal testing for cosmetics.

In 2004, after decades of campaigning by consumers, animal welfare organizations and several companies, the EU banned the testing of cosmetics on animals. In 2009 it banned testing for cosmetic ingredients and finally in 2013 it banned the sale of cosmetics that had been tested on animals. The EU approach has become a model for regulatory changes in countries around the world.

Yet ECHA's recent testing requirements effectively destroy the bans and threaten further progress that the European Parliament has been boldly calling for since 2018 – a global ban on all animal testing for cosmetics by 2023. .

The Body Shop has campaigned tirelessly against the practice of animal testing for cosmetics since 1989, and helped lead the charge that led to the current ban in Europe. Dove has worked for 15 years to improve the beauty industry through its 'True Beauty' campaign and the Dove Self-Esteem Project. Proudly certified by PETA USA as free from animal testing, Dove has supported bans to end animal testing around the world, working with like-minded lawmakers, animal welfare organizations and businesses. same ideas to achieve this goal.

The two beauty brands have joined forces to inspire consumers to take action to ban animal testing in Europe by signing an ECI, a mechanism through which European citizens can help shape the EU by asking the European Commission to propose new laws.

ECHA proposes new animal experiments for ingredients recognized as safe.

ECHA is calling for new animal testing on ingredients that have been used safely by consumers and handled safely in factories for many years. If its policy is maintained, thousands more animals could be cruelly tested – even for ingredients used only for cosmetics – while there are other ways to generate safety data.

Animal testing is no longer necessary to ensure safety, thanks to modern, human-friendly, animal-free methods that safety specialists have been developing and using for decades.

Speaking with one voice to end animal testing for beauty products, PETA, The Body Shop, Dove and animal welfare organizations are calling on consumers to sign the ECI "Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics asking the European Commission to do the following:

1. Protect and strengthen the ban on animal testing for cosmetics

The Commission must initiate legislative change to ensure consumer, worker and environmental protection for all cosmetic ingredients without new animal testing, for any purpose and at any time.

2. Transform EU chemicals regulation

The Commission must ensure the protection of human health and the environment by controlling chemicals without adding new requirements for animal testing.

3. Modernizing regulatory science in the EU

The Commission must commit, before the end of its current mandate, to presenting a legislative proposal setting out a roadmap for the phasing out of all animal testing in the EU.

Together, we aim to reach 1 million signatures in the fastest timeframe ever for an ECI, sending a clear message that ECHA's requests for new tests go against EU policy. animal experimentation of last resort and the will of European citizens.

But we can't do it alone.

European citizens can sign the ECI and tell the European Commission that they will not accept broken promises from Europe or regulations that mean animals suffer and die for cosmetics.