On Tuesday 25 July, the European Commission responded to the appeal launched by the European citizens’ initiative ‘Save Cruelty-free Cosmetics - Commit to a Europe without Animal Testing’.
The aim of this initiative was to draw attention to the major concerns of European citizens regarding the use of animals in experiments.
The Commission welcomed this mobilisation and noted the leading role played by the EU in improving animal welfare. The total ban on animal testing for cosmetic products in 2013 is an example of this significant progress.
As part of its response, the Commission announced a new roadmap comprising legislative and non-legislative actions aimed at further reducing animal experimentation.
The ultimate aim is to achieve a regulatory system without animal testing in the context of legislation on chemicals, including REACH, the regulation on biocidal products, the regulation on plant protection products and medicines for human and veterinary use.
The Commission will also continue to actively support research into alternatives to animal experimentation.
And with good reason: protecting and strengthening the ban on animal testing for cosmetic products is one of the Commission’s priorities. Although the ban on the marketing of cosmetic products tested on animals is already in force, the Commission is currently examining the question of the safety tests required to assess the risks posed by chemicals to workers and the environment. Legislative changes could be envisaged depending on the results of this evaluation.
The Commission is committed to providing appropriate funding. In addition, exploring the coordination of activities between Member States and national authorities, as well as setting up exploratory workshops and supporting new training initiatives for scientists at the start of their careers, are some of the avenues being explored. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)