Environment Committee Call for complete ban on new animal-tested cosmetics

Brussels, 23 May 2002

The Environment Committee this morning demanded an immediate ban on the sale of new cosmetic products tested on animals where other validated testing methods exist, to be followed after five years by a complete ban on the sale of any new cosmetics tested on animals. MEPs also voted for a ban on the testing of cosmetics on animals from the end of 2004.

Following the committee's adoption (44 votes in favour, 0 against, 2 abstentions) of the recommendation by Dagmar ROTH-BEHRENDT (PES, D) on the Council's common position, Parliament now faces a serious dispute with Council, which had dropped the ban on testing as well as the ban on sales. It is unlikely that the Council will accept the outcome of this morning's vote, which may lead to a conciliation procedure.

MEPs see animal testing of cosmetics as a moral issue on which the majority of EU citizens have expressed the view that animals should not suffer to help develop new 'vanity' products. The approach of giving the industry more time to develop alternative testing methods had not worked. It was therefore reasonable to introduce a total ban on animal testing, which should give a significant boost to the development of alternative methods.

To ensure that animal testing is not relocated to third countries, the committee also decided that a Community ban on animal testing needed to be combined with mandatory labelling of products and ingredients tested on animals. Measures should also be taken to ensure that animal-tested products were not put on the Community market after a specified date. Furthermore, manufacturers should be allowed to state on a cosmetic product if no animal testing had been used in its development.

The committee also adopted an amendment demanding that, as an interim step until a full marketing ban is introduced, animal-tested cosmetics should be clearly labelled 'Tested on animals'.

MEPs further called for the use of substances which are carginogenic, mutagenic or toxic to be prohibited in cosmetics, unless they are deemed safe for use. In addition, to avoid fragrancy allergies, the committee said that the use of fragrances should be prohibited in children's products such as baby creams and shampoo, and in intimate hygiene products such as sanitary towels, toilet paper and cotton roundels. Finally, a number of more technical amendments were adopted.

This draft recommendation for second reading under the codecision procedure is scheduled for plenary debate at the June session in Strasbourg.

23.05.2002 Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection       In the chair: Caroline JACKSON (EPP-ED, UK)

Press enquiries:Ton Huyssoon - tel. (32-2) 28 42408e-mail: Envi-press@europarl.eu.int

European Parliament News Report 2002-05-23

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