BRUSSELS, Belgium—The European Commission presented its yearly report on Alternative Methods to Animal Tests in the Field of Cosmetics to the European Parliament and Council. The Cosmetics Directive prohibits animal testing in the EU of finished cosmetic products and animal testing of ingredients of cosmetic products. A marketing ban is also in place which prohibits selling in the EU cosmetic products containing ingredients that have been tested on animals. For many of the tests needed to ensure the safety of cosmetic products alternative methods are developed and validated by now. However, work continues to close the remaining gap for the small number of the most complex effects on health for which the marketing ban deadline comes into force in March 2013.
Despite this commitment and progress in research finding alternative methods for testing, these remaining complex endpoints will not be possible by the 2013 deadline, according to the Commission's report. The report stressed the continued commitment in Europe and worldwide to find alternative approaches. The report is based on the findings of scientific experts who have been assessing the availability of alternative methods and prospects for the future. While full replacement is not possible, there is potential for partial replacement strategies and developing a 'toolbox' of test methods to be improved until the goal can be reached. The lack of full alternatives does not mean the Commission will propose postponing the deadline. Instead, the Commission is currently assessing the impact of the entry into force of the ban in 2013 without alternatives and will decide on next steps on the basis of the full impact assessment.
"Over the last 20 years more than 200 million euros has been dedicated to research in this area in the EU and the commitment to finding alternatives to animal testing continues both in Europe and worldwide," said health and consumer commissioner, John Dalli. “This research and development has not only reduced the number of animals used in testing, it is at the same time yielding important results in terms of better science to the benefit of consumer safety."
The Commission will announce its final decision by the end of 2011.
To see what efforts have been made to find alternatives, what progress has been made and what’s next, click here.
