IS ANIMAL TESTING ALLOWED IN THE EU IN 2021?

Is this news really true? This somehow doesn’t come as shocking as it should’ve been from the side of the EU as their ban on animal testing on cosmetics already had some loopholes that we might have overlooked until recently. Some ingredients were still being tested under the ‘REACH’ law on chemical ingredients by overriding the animal testing law, and this is the very first loophole. This basically implies that the brands that claimed to be ‘cruelty-free’ might not be as cruelty-free as we thought, in the EU, the US, and many other countries. 

IS ANIMAL TESTING ALLOWED IN THE EU IN 2021?


Why aren’t there conversations about it?

These tests are being conducted under the name “industrial chemical legislation”. Therefore, there are no reports for animal testing on cosmetic ingredients. This just came into the public knowledge when an analysis of the REACH casebook/dossier showed the wide range of tests conducted for the cosmetic ingredients. The EU agency released the statements that these animal tests are essential for ecotoxicity and for their workers’ safety.


How severe is this?

Now let’s talk about the severity of these tests. A survey was conducted on two EU retailers, one of which is a high-end brand and the other one produces for the mass market. The survey concludes that there are about 400 cosmetic products that contain animal-tested ingredients. These are just two retailers that we are talking about and this cosmetic industry is HUGE. However, there is no surety of these brands being aware of these tests being performed on the ingredients that they use in their products because there is no such process in the EU to tell them. 


Can it be fixed?

You must be wondering if this is something that can be fixed. The answer is YES. In fact, it is the need of the hour. It is should be fixed by the European Commission by modifying the REACH and Cosmetic Regulation rules. Animal testing should be completely banned for cosmetic ingredients. 


These ingredients are being supplied on the global level. So, it is not just an EU problem; we all need to stand against it. Don’t go after one country or brand, as we mentioned early, the brands might not even be aware of these tests being performed. It is time to change the laws and stand for what is ethical.

September 17, 2021 — Nitisha Maan