Commission proposes banning animal testing for cosmetics in the EU

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive amending Council Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products. The amendment involves changing the marketing ban of products containing ingredients tested on animals after 1 July 2000 into a full scale ban of animal testing of cosmetics in the European Union (EU). This would serve the double objective of ensuring WTO compatibility of the EU scheme and providing a more effective way to protect animal welfare.