Reducing animal testing: Industry commits to action programme, Commission tables guidelines for labelling cosmetics as ‘not tested on animals’

Initiated by the European Commission, the new 'European Partnership on Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing' published an action programme on 21 June 2006. It followed the so-called '3 Rs' concept, aimed at refining, reducing and replacing animal use to meet regulatory safety requirements. The partnership on alternative approaches to animal testing between the European Commission, industry associations and major companies in the area of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, crop protection and cosmetics had been initiated a year earlier. In addition, the Commission published guidelines for labelling cosmetic products as 'not tested on animals'.