"European Union expands ban on makeup tests; Humane Society cheers; industry pans new limits" by Juegen Baetz | Associated Press, March 12, 2013
BRUSSELS — The European Union on Monday immediately banned the sale of new cosmetic products containing ingredients tested on animals.
‘‘This is a great opportunity for Europe to set an example of responsible innovation in cosmetics without any compromise on consumer safety,’’ said Tonio Borg, the EU’s top official on health and consumer issues.
Animal rights groups were quick to cheer the measure, but Cosmetics Europe, a trade body representing the EU’s $93 billion industry, said the ban ‘‘acts as a brake on innovation.’’
While the industry’s rabbits, mice, or guinea pigs used in testing will be spared, consumers are unlikely to notice immediate changes because products containing ingredients tested on animals before the ban can remain on the shelves....
At the moment, neither the US nor Asian markets have similar bans. While the US Food and Drug Administration prohibits the sale of unsafe cosmetics, it doesn’t require that animal tests be conducted to show that the cosmetics are safe.
Animal rights groups such as Humane Society International cheered the EU’s decision on the full ban as a major step in stopping animals’ suffering, saying the bloc has become ‘‘the world’s largest cruelty-free cosmetics market.’’
The group also said it hopes the course taken by the European Union, whose nations form the world’s biggest economy, will soon be replicated by the global cosmetics industry.
The phase-out of animal testing over the years in Europe has resulted in a dramatic drop in such activity among US cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers looking to sell overseas.
US beauty makers generated about $38.3 billion in revenue in 2011, according to the latest statistics from the Washington-based industry trade group Personal Care Products Council.
The cosmetic industry’s European trade body said the new EU ban threatens the industry’s competitiveness and comes too early because there is still no alternative for some specific animal tests to ensure the safety of all ingredients.
Cosmetics Europe chief Bertil Heerink said that ‘‘by implementing the ban at this time, the European Union is jeopardizing the industry’s ability to innovate,’’ putting the 27-country bloc at odds with its own goal of fostering a knowledge and science-driven economy....
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