Celebrities, Activist Groups Speaking Out: EU 2013 Animal Testing Ban Postponement
As many European cosmetic companies are aware, the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009’s ban on animal testing is nearing—March 2013 (You can check out the upcoming ban and other regulatory changes slated for 2013 here.); but the EU may be changing its mind, as a revised report, “highlights the most important findings of a panel of scientific experts tasked with assessing the availability of alternative methods to animal testing in view of the full marketing ban foreseen in Europe in 2013 for cosmetic ingredients tested on animals," concluded, “considerable scientific challenges have to be overcome before a full replacement of animal tests will be possible."
Well … not too many people are happy about this potential postponement. From actress and vegan advocate Alicia Silverstone to animal-rights groups like PETA, the potential postponement is causing quite a stir. But guess what? When the Regulation was originally put in place they accounted for this possibility by allowing for a delay of the ban contingent upon insufficient alternatives to animal testing.
In response to the revised report, London-based BUAV put together an analysis of the status of alternative methods, stating, “We conclude that the scientific case for an extension to the 2013 deadline is not made out. Indeed, extending the deadline would undermine the excellent work done by industry to meet the deadline. Resources should instead be provided to complete the validation and acceptance of the remaining non-animal alternatives in time for 2013."
Dig Deeper: Other Resources
Back in January, Emilie Cornillot, health care and beauty product project manager at Intertek, broke down the new guidelines under the EU Cosmetic Regulation (EC 1223/2009), including the upcoming ban on animal testing and other changing in the cosmetic landscape.
We also recently published a study on cell-based versus animal-based sensitization test and the development of a novel cell-based assay for the prediction of sensitizing chemicals.
What are your thoughts on the postponement?
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