This 11 March 2013, full EU ban on animal testing for cosmetics enters into force. Planned by European legislation, and endorsed by the Commission, this decision makes happy of associations in favor animal welfare, when it is questionned by the industry, which sees it as a brake on innovation.
The Brussels press release
Directive 2003/15/EC introduced provisions in relation into animal testing into the Cosmetic Directive 76/768/EEC. Accordingly, animal testing in the Union is already prohibited since 2004 for cosmetic products and since 2009 for cosmetic ingredients ('testing ban'). As from March 2009, it is also prohibited to market in the Union cosmetic products containing ingredients which have been tested on animals ('marketing ban'). For the most complex human health effects (repeated-dose toxicity, including skin sensitization and carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics) the deadline for the marketing ban was extended to 11 March 2013.
Today the last deadline to phase out animal testing for cosmetic products in Europe enters into force. As of today, cosmetics tested on animals cannot be marketed any more in the EU.
A Communication adopted by the Commission today confirms the Commission's commitment to respect the deadline set by Council and Parliament in 2003 and outlines how it intends to further support research and innovation in this area while promoting animal welfare world-wide.
European Commissioner in charge of Health & Consumer Policy, Tonio Borg, stated: " Today's entry into force of the full marketing ban gives an important signal on the value that Europe attaches …
