Testing cosmetics on animals is a type of animal testing used to test the
safety and hypoallergenic properties of products for use by humans. Because of
the harm done to the animal subjects, this testing is opposed by animal rights
activists and others. Cosmetic animal testing is banned in the European Union,
India, Israel, and Norway. Definition
Using animal testing in the development of cosmetics may involve testing either
a finished product or the individual ingredients of a finished product on
animals, often rabbits, but also mice, rats, and other animals.
Re-using existing test data obtained from previous animal testing is
generally not considered to be cosmetic testing on animals; however, the
acceptability of this to opponents of testing is inversely proportional to how
recent the data is. Legal requirements and status
Due to the strong public backlash against cosmetic testing on animals,
most cosmetic manufacturers say their products are not tested on animals.
However, they are still required by trading standards and consumer
protection laws in most countries to show their products are not toxic and
not dangerous to public health, and that the ingredients are not dangerous in
large quantities, such as when in transport or in the manufacturing plant.
In some countries, it is possible to meet these requirements without any
further tests on animals. In other countries, it may require animal testing
to meet legal requirements. The United States and Japan are frequently
criticized for their insistence on stringent safety measures, which often
requires animal testing. Some retailers distinguish themselves in the
marketplace by their stance on animal testing.
Legal Requirements In Japan Although Japanese law doesn’t require
non-medicated cosmetics to be tested on animals, it doesn’t prohibit it either,
leaving the decision to individual companies. Animal testing is required
mainly when the product contains newly-developed tar colors, ultraviolet
ray protective ingredients or preservatives, and when the amount of
any ingredient regulated in terms of how much can be added is increased.
Japanese Brands such as Shiseido and Mandom have ended much, but not all, of
their animal testing. However, most other leading cosmetics companies in
Japan still test on animals. = Places that have bans =
Brazil, São Paulo São Paulo a global city in Brazil,
banned cosmetic animal testing in 2014. European Union
The European Union followed suit, after it agreed to phase in a near-total ban
on the sale of animal-tested cosmetics throughout the EU from 2009, and to ban
cosmetics-related animal testing. Imported cosmetics ingredients tested on
animals were phased out for EU consumer markets in 2013 by the ban, but can
still be sold to outside of the EU. Norway banned cosmetics animal testing
the same time as the EU. India
Also in 2013, India announced a ban on testing cosmetics on animals, thereby
becoming the second country in Asia to do so.
Israel Israel banned "the import and marketing
of cosmetics, toiletries or detergents that were tested on animals" in 2013.
New Zealand In 2015, New Zealand also banned animal
testing. Turkey
Turkey "banned any animal testing for cosmetic products that have already been
introduced to the market." United Kingdom
Animal testing on cosmetics or their ingredients was banned in the UK in
1998. = Places where prohibitions are
considered = Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is also potentially "making
strides toward ending cosmetics testing on animals."
Australia In Australia, the End Cruel Cosmetics
Bill will be introduced to Parliament in March 2014, which would ban local
testing, which generally doesn't happen there, and importation of cosmetics
tested on animals. Brazil
Brazil's legislation will vote on a nationwide animal testing for cosmetics
ban by the end of March 2014. United States
In March 2014, the Humane Cosmetics Act was introduced to the U.S. congress
which would ban cosmetic testing on animals and eventually would ban the
sale of cosmetics tested on animals. South Korea
South Korea are also potentially "making strides toward ending cosmetics testing
on animals." Taiwan
Taiwan has launched a bill proposing a ban on cosmetic testing on animals.
= Other statuses = China
China currently requires mandatory animal testing for cosmetic products,
but there are plans to lift this mandatory requirement in June 2014.
Russia In 2013, the Russian Ministry of Health
stated "Toxicological testing is performed by means of testing for skin
allergic reaction or test on slime/eye area or by use of alternative general
toxicology methods. In this manner the technical regulations include measures
which provide an alternative to animal testing".
Methods Methods of testing cosmetics on animals
include irritation or corrosion to the skin or eye, dermal sensitization,
airway sensitization, endocrine disruption, and LD50.
Alternatives Cosmetics manufacturers who do not test
on animals may now use in vitro screens to test for endpoints which can
determine potential risk to humans with a very high sensitivity and specificity.
Companies such as CeeTox in the USA , recently acquired by Cyprotex
,specialize in such testing and organizations like the Center for
Alternatives to Animal Testing, PETA and many other organizations advocate the
use of in vitro and other non-animal tests in the development of consumer
products. By using safe ingredients from a list of 5,000 which have already been
tested in conjunction with modern methods of cosmetics testing, the need
for tests using animals are negated. Certification
Companies producing beauty and household products which do not to test their
products on animals for any market can request membership of The Leaping Bunny
Program which allows to feature Cruelty Free International's Leaping Bunny logo
on their products. The program sets global standard of operations and sales.
Certification can be obtained in the US from The Coalition for Consumer
Information on Cosmetics In 2013 over 500 companies were certified. However,
some company's certifications were revoked after it was discovered they
continued to test on animals in Asia Procedures of Animal Testing
There is a strategy used in animal testing laboratories titled the ' Three
R's:' Reduction, refinement, and replacement. The approach of reduction
is built upon the ethics to have a minimalized number of animal subjects
being tested on for current and later tests. Refinement suggests the planned
distress and pain caused to an animal subject be as minimalized as possible.
Refinement focuses on making a home for the animals before entering testing
grounds in order to elongate the life of laboratory animals. Discomfort to
animals causes imbalance in hormonal levels which create fluctuating results
during testing. Replacement provides the opportunity to study the response of
cellular models, but in other words, replacement searches for alternatives
that could be done otherwise than testing on animal subjects.
See also Animal testing on invertebrates
Animal testing on non-human primates Animal testing on rodents
Cosmetics The Three Rs
Notes