‘Animal testing ban signals a great victory in Europe, and should see other markets take note’

30-Jan-2013 - Last updated on 31-Jan-2013 at 10:09 GMT

There seems to be continued talk in the cosmetics industry of the proposed animal testing ban that comes into place on March 11, 2013, and whilst it has been a long time coming, it represents a huge step, according to Cruelty Free International.

The animal rights organisation has ramped up its efforts to ensure the ban is upheld, and in an exclusive interview with CosmeticsDesign-Europe, chief executive Michelle Thew, highlighted the significance of the situation.

“It has been a long time coming for us but the ban is finally here and is a good victory for us,” she said.

“Hopefully this can help us push on for a global ban and ensure both a safe and cruelty-free cosmetics industry.”

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Thew expects the March ban to go through without any delays, as previously feared, or exemptions, and is just awaiting the final confirmation, which is expected.

Whilst cruelty to animals is her main concern, the CFI and BUAV executive also claimed that putting alternatives into place makes sense from a science point of view.

“The fact is that some of the alternatives already in place actually produce more accurate results, raising the question as to why animal testing is still an option.”

The plan for Thew is to now turn attention to the rest of the world, and see that other markets, in the US and Asia for example, copy the example set in Europe.

“In many markets around the world, animal testing is still an option. In many cases it is not used, but it has not been outlawed. Hopefully with the ban in place in Europe, other markets will follow suit and the option will be taken away.”

In cahoots

Cruelty Free International has been working hard to highlight the animal testing issues in the cosmetics industry with companies such as The Body Shop and most recently, Paul Mitchell, giving their backing.

By working with high profile manufacturers such as these, CFI can reach more people with their message and market it in a way that would not be possible on its own.

At the start of the year Paul Mitchell gave its backing at a jointly organised event in London, whilst The Body Shop has highlighted the issue in-store as well as circulating a petition to drum up support.

“We work with cosmetics companies like The Body Shop and Paul Mitchell to raise awareness and drive the campaign,” explained Thew.

“With this support behind us, we can then highlight this to the regulatory bodies and get things moving with more clout.”