EU Parliament Calls for Worldwide Ban on Animal Testing for Cosmetics
by Jane Harkness
For the past decade, the European Union has been leading the fight against animal testing in the cosmetics industry. Now, they are taking it beyond their borders. On May 3, 620 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted in favor of a resolution that would put an end to animal testing all over the world. They will eventually go before the United Nations to move forward with the process and propose new legislation against animal testing.
When it comes to animal welfare, education is always an important part of the movement. This resolution was backed by The Body Shop, a British cruelty-free cosmetics company and one of the first major beauty brands to campaign against animal testing, and the NGO Cruelty Free International, an organization which aims to eventually end all forms of animal testing and experimentation. Celebrities and animal rights activists like Ricky Gervais, Pixie Geldof, and Dr. Jane Goodall also voiced their support for the campaign.
(Source: commons.wikimedia.org)
It is no surprise that these MEPs are speaking out against animal testing. The EU banned animal testing for cosmetics back in 2003, and they also banned animal testing for all individual ingredients used in cosmetics in 2009, although this ban was not fully implemented until 2013. These landmark pieces of legislation inspired activists to successfully fight for similar laws in South Korea, India, and New Zealand.
While some people may think that relying on alternate forms of testing could cut into profits, the EU has proven that this is not the case. The ban has not slowed the growth of the cosmetics market—in fact, two million EU citizens currently work in this industry. Most importantly, the vast majority of people in the EU support the ban. In fact, 89% of EU citizens feel that the EU should do more for animal welfare worldwide— it looks like their government has been listening!
So, what are these activists and politicians up against? Currently, 80% of countries still allow animal testing and the sales of products tested on animals within their borders. Michelle Thew, the CEO of Cruelty Free International, estimates that approximately 500,000 animals are still being tested on around the world. Therefore, the EU cannot win this fight alone. That is why the MEPs are calling for EU political leaders to form an international coalition within the United Nations. By getting other countries on board with this campaign, they hope to implement the global ban by 2023.
(Source: flickr.com)
Cruelty-free makeup and skincare companies have already proven that we do not need to test on animals—therefore, it is past time for every beauty brand to start making the switch. Want to help out? The Body Shop is currently sponsoring a petition against animal testing to present to the UN General Assembly. Sign here to help them reach their goal of 8 million signatures!
