Global company The Body Shop and charity Cruelty Free International have been campaigning relentlessly for over 20 years to stop cosmetic testing on animals. Now, after decades of activism, it seems that they may get their wish. An announcement is expected from the EU this March, which is expected to ban all cosmetic products (and the import or sale thereof) which have been tested on animals. This will mark the end to the testing of cosmetics on animals in Europe and improved wellbeing for those animals who have suffered cruelty as a result of the outdated practice.
Campaigners have long maintained that the health concerns associated with testing cosmetics on humans are not significant enough to warrant the abuse of animals in this way. The ban will affect all types of cosmetic products, including soap, toothpaste, beauty products and toiletries. Ethical beauty brand The Body Shop will have no changes to make in its practice, as it has always had the wellness of animals as well as humans at the centre of its organisation and has never tested any of its products on animals.
Special commemorative events will be organised by The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International in the run up to the announcement, to celebrate the strong message that this sends out about the use of animals in cosmetic testing. Some countries, such as China, which still test products on animals will have to respond by banning testing too, if they wish to continue exporting their products into Europe.
The Body Shop is celebrating what it sees as a hard-won victory and the result of a relentless campaign against the testing of cosmetics on animals. They have, however, urged caution, saying that this ban in Europe is not the end of the story with regards to cruelty to animals.
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