New rules to ban animal testing completely for cosmetics could be delayed

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans is putting pressure on the European Commission to enforce a complete ban on animal testing for cosmetics across Europe.

Almost all types of animal testing for cosmetics have been banned since 2009, but three types were allowed to continue until 2013 for imports into Europe. These may now be allowed to continue after that deadline because available alternatives have not been implemented by the cosmetics industry.

Plaid MEP Jill Evans said,

"It now looks possible that there will be a change to the EU's cosmetics law meaning testing on animals for imports will continue".

"Animal testing is cruel and unnecessary. We should not be rewarding the cosmetics industry with an extension for failing to use existing, safe alternatives when they were given more than enough time to adopt them. People in Wales and across Europe have sent several strong messages that they do not want animals to be used for testing cosmetics. I regularly receive letters from constituents who are shocked to find that the practice still continues."

"I have met with the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) and we will be working together in the coming months to try and ensure that this out-dated practice comes to an end. BUAV have produced a detailed technical document showing that safe alternatives to testing on animals already exist. It is now the responsibility of the cosmetics industry to ensure that 100% of cosmetics are tested in a safe way that does not involve needless animal suffering".

“I have written to the European Commission to express my concerns ahead of the publication of their recommendations later this month. I would urge other people to do the same.”

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