In 2013, the European Union implemented its ban on animal testing in cosmetics. This landmark was the culmination of nearly 20 years of campaigning and the UK-based global cosmetics company, The Body Shop, was an instrumental force in its success.
Such is the support in Europe for using non animal testing methods, it might come as a surprise, to consumers at least, that 80% of countries across the world still have no laws against using animal testing in cosmetics. Because of this, last year The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International launched a new global campaign, Forever Against Animal Testing. The aim of this campaign is to get eight million signatures on a petition which will then be taken to the UN, asking them to implement an end to animal testing in cosmetics globally. At the time of writing they have 7 million signatures.
The alternatives to animal testing
There is undeniably an ethical argument against animal testing, but what many testing experts also add is that the accuracy and reliability of non-animal tests is far stronger. Methods such as in silico computer-based analysis and lab-produced skin offer the opportunity to remove elements of subjectivity from the process and give an improved representation of human reactivity to a specific chemical. In addition, the range of data generated in these non-animal tests can outstrip the traditional tests, giving a greater level of detail and opportunity to benchmark against other studies.
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