Report on the development, validation and legal acceptance of methods alternative to animal testing in the field of cosmetics (2015-2017)

This is the 12th report presented by the European Commission under Article 35 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products (the Cosmetics Regulation).

The report includes information on:
- progress made in the development, validation and acceptance of methods alternative to animal testing;
- the Commission’s progress on obtaining the OECD’s acceptance of the alternative methods validated at EU level;
- progress on third-country recognition of the results of safety tests carried out in the EU using alternative methods;
- the specific needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The report also provides information on compliance with the deadlines for the animal testing bans set out in Article 18(1) of the Cosmetics Regulation. Article 18(1) prohibits the testing on animals of finished cosmetic products and of cosmetic ingredients (testing ban), as well as the marketing of finished cosmetic products and of cosmetic products containing ingredients tested on animals (marketing ban).