Animal tests ban faces new delay

Date: 29/07/1999

By Renée Cordes

THE European Commission is set to propose delaying new restrictions on testing shampoo, lipstick and other cosmetics on animals for another three years, giving industry more time to develop alternative techniques.

Its latest draft proposal calls for finished products tested on animals to be banned from 1 June 2003. The institution had previously proposed imposing the ban from 1 June 2000, but adoption of the plan was delayed by the Commission's resignation in March.

The move comes six years after EU governments approved legislation which would have made it illegal to sell cosmetics tested on animals in the EU after January 1998. Member states later decided to postpone the ban until June 2000 if sufficient non-animal alternatives were not available. The Commission also decided to limit the ban to the testing of cosmetic products, amid concerns that a marketing embargo would violate international trade rules.

The cosmetics industry says companies across Europe are already developing new testing methods. "If the alternatives are there, we in Europe are already using them," said Rory Macmillan of the European cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery association COLIPA. "Beginning next year, our industry will no longer be testing any finished products on animals."

But environmental groups are urging the Commission not to delay the ban again, arguing that it is the best way to ensure cosmetics firms stop tests on animals.

The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments says it may launch a legal challenge if the measure is postponed again.