Nearly 100 scientists from over 70 European organisations met in Cascais (Portugal) from 1st to 3rd of March 2011 to initiate a EUR 50 million research and innovation project designed to imagine new tests in lieu of safety tests carried out on animals. This unique collaboration is possible thanks to the European Union’s Health Programme and to the European cosmetics industry.
March 4, 2011
In a press release dated March 1, 2011,
Colipa
(the European Trade Association of cosmetics industry) announces the launch of this project jointly financed by the European Commission and the European cosmetics industry.
In March 2009, the Cosmetics Observatory (L'Observatoire des Cosmétiques)'s website let it know that
the end of testing cosmetics on animals
was close. As a first step in 2004, animal experiments using the end products were forbidden (the end-product is the product as marketed). As a second step, ingredients or combinations thereof should also be tested using other methods, called alternative methods.
About this meeting held in Portugal, the Colipa’s CEO said: “
This unique research collaboration represents an important step in our on-going efforts to finding animal-free testing methods for cosmetic product ingredients. Together with the European Commission, we are enabling top scientists to come together from all around the world in order to make progress in this complex area of safety testing
.”
For further informations
• See the website of
Colipa