Brussels, 28/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's Committee on the Environment called, on 23 May, for an immediate ban on the sale of new cosmetic products tested on animals if other valid methods of testing exist. This ban would be followed five years later by a total ban on the sale of any new cosmetic product tested on animals. MEPs also took a stance in favour of a ban on animal testing for end 2004.
Further to the adoption in committee (44 votes for, none against and 2 abstentions) of the recommendation by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt (PES, Germany) on the Council's common position, the EP is now faced with the prospect of a serious dispute with the Council, which had abandoned the idea of a ban on testing but also a ban on sales. Although the June plenary follows the environment committee, which is more than likely given the almost unanimous stance taken in committee, it is not likely that the Council will bow to the result of the vote, which should result in conciliation procedure. MEPs see animal testing as an ethical issue on which EU citizens have made it known they are opposed to allowing animals to suffer to contribute to the perfection of new products of a "superficial" kind. The approach consisting of giving the industry more time to perfect alternative testing methods has not given results, said the environment committee. It therefore comes to the logical conclusion that it is reasonable to establish a total ban on animal testing, which, it states, could give a significant thrust to research on alternative testing methods.
In order to avoid animal testing being relocated in third countries, the parliamentary committee also requested that the Community ban be backed up by a compulsory labelling system on products and components tested on animals. MEPs believe it is also important to take measures to guarantee that products tested on animals are no longer placed on the Community market after a given date. Furthermore, the environment committee considers that cosmetic manufacturers must not be authorised to develop a cosmetic product unless its production has never involved animal testing.
Furthermore, the committee adopted an amendment which, as a transitional measure and until a total sales ban is established, calls for cosmetics tested on animals to be clearly labelled "animal tested". It also recommended a ban on using carcinogenic substances in cosmetics, as well as mutagenic or toxic substances unless they are known to be safe. Also, in order to avoid allergies to fragrances, the committee felt that the use of perfumes should be banned in products for children, such as baby creams and shampoos, but also in personal hygiene products such as sanitary towels, toilet paper and cotton pads and tampons.