EU imposes complete ban on sale of animal tested cosmetics

The European Union (EU) has imposed a total ban on the sale of new cosmetic products consisting of ingredients tested on animals, with effect immediately.

The commission’s new decision was based on the commitment to respect the deadline, set in 2003 by Council and Parliament, and confirmed by a communication adopted by the commission.

The decision is based on Directive 2003/15/EC, which introduced provisions in relation into animal testing into the Cosmetic Directive 76/768/EEC.

Based on that, the EU has already prohibited animal testing since 2004 for cosmetic products and since 2009 for cosmetic ingredients (‘testing ban’).

From March 2009, it also prohibited marketing cosmetic products in the Union containing ingredients which have been tested on animals (‘marketing ban’).

The new commitment also describes how the Union plans to further support investigations on alternatives to animal testing, while encouraging animal welfare globally.

European Commission Health & Consumer Policy in charge Tonio Borg said the commission’s decision to impose full marketing ban gives an important signal on the value that Europe attaches to animal welfare.

"The Commission is committed to continue supporting the development of alternative methods and to engage with third countries to follow our European approach," Borg added.

"This is a great opportunity for Europe to set an example of responsible innovation in cosmetics without any compromise on consumer safety."

According to the commission, the decision drafts the contribution to the research into alternative methods and the recognition that these efforts must be continued.

The commission said it has awarded approximately €238m funding towards such research between 2007 and 2011.

Image: EU new directive bans marketing of any cosmetics developed with the help of animal tests carried out after 2009, or 2013, Photo: Finavon.