The main players in the beauty sector invite consumers to sign the European citizens’ initiative promoted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Cruelty Free Europe, Humane Society International / Europe (HSI), Eurogroup for Animals and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE)
Dove and The Body Shop have joined PETA, Cruelty Free Europe, Humane Society International / Europe, Eurogroup for Animals and the ECEAE (representing a total of 100 organizations from 26 EU member states *) to urgently mobilize 1 million European citizens and save cruelty-free cosmetics in Europe; the current European ban on cosmetic testing on animals is at risk.
In 2004, after decades of campaigning by consumers, animal protection organizations and various companies, the European Union banned animal testing for cosmetic products. In 2009, it banned the testing of cosmetics ingredients, and finally, in 2013, it banned the sale of cosmetics that had been tested on animals. The EU approach has become the model for regulatory change in countries around the world.
ECHA proposes new animal tests for ingredients that are known to be safe.
However, recent requests for new animal tests by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) run counter to these bans and threaten the further progress the European Parliament has been courageously spending on since 2018: a global ban. of all cosmetic animal testing by 2023.
The new tests requested by ECHA are for ingredients that have been used by consumers and handled by manufacturers in a safe way for many years. If these demands persist, millions of animals could be subjected to cruel tests, facing alternative methods of obtaining the required safety data.
The time to act is now.
The two beauty brands and NGOs have come together to engage consumers and take action to rescue the European ban on cosmetic testing on animals by signing a European Citizens’ Initiative (ICE). It is a petition-like tool that gives European citizens the opportunity to help shape EU policies by asking the European Commission to propose new laws.
Cosmetic testing on animals is not necessary to ensure its safety. There are modern scientific methods, relevant to humans and not involving the use of animals, that security researchers have been developing and using for decades.
Joining their voices against testing for beauty products, The Body Shop, Dove and animal protection organizations are calling on consumers to sign a European Citizens’ Initiative (ICE), which asks the European Commission to:
1. Protect and strengthen the ban on cosmetic testing on animals
Initiate a legislative change to ensure the protection of consumers, workers and the environment with regard to all ingredients in cosmetics without carrying out new tests on animals.
2. Transform the EU chemicals regulation
Ensure the protection of human health and the environment through chemical management without requiring further animal testing.
3. Modernizing regulatory science in the EU
Commit, before the end of the current mandate, to a legislative proposal that sets a roadmap for phasing out all animal testing in the EU.
Together, brands and NGOs aim to reach 1 million signatures in record time, sending a clear message: ECHA’s requests for new tests run counter to the will of EU citizens and the approach, supported by the Commission European Union, which provides for animal testing as a last resort.
But they can’t do it alone.
European citizens have the opportunity to sign the ICE and tell the Commission that they will not accept unfulfilled promises from Europe, or regulations that make animals suffer and die for cosmetics.
Animal protection organizations state: ‘Surveys show that three quarters of adult EU citizens agree that animal testing for cosmetic products and their ingredients is unacceptable in all circumstances. Additionally, 70% support a phasing out plan for all animal testing. It is sad to have to fight again a battle that European citizens thought they had already won. With a successful ICE we can get decision makers to listen, we can protect existing bans and support decisive action to end the suffering of animals in EU laboratories forever. ‘
Dove has worked for 15 years to bring positive changes to the beauty industry, starting with the “Campaign for Authentic Beauty” and launching the largest self-esteem program in the world. As a proudly certified cruelty-free brand, Dove has supported global bans to permanently end animal testing around the world, working alongside lawmakers, animal protection organizations and like-minded companies in achieving this goal. Firdaous El Honsali, Senior Director of Global Communications and Sustainability for Dove, says, “From Dove, we strongly oppose animal cruelty. We strongly believe that there is no place to test beauty products or their ingredients on animals and have been pioneers for many years in the use of safe and cruelty-free alternatives to evaluate the safety of products and ingredients. This commitment urges us to take urgent action to protect the ban on animal testing in the EU. Together with our partners, The Body Shop and leading animal protection groups, we urge both our peers from the beauty industry, and the general public, to lend their voices to the fight to end animal testing in the EU. once and for all, by signing this initiative of European citizens ».
The Body Shop He has been relentlessly engaged against the practice of cosmetic testing on animals since 1989, helping to lead the charge towards the current ban in Europe.
Christopher Davis, Global CSR and Activism Director, for The Body Shop International, adds: “The Body Shop was the first global beauty brand to fight against cosmetic animal testing and this commitment has been at the heart of our campaigns for over three decades. Our work, together with the various partners of the Cruelty Free International campaign, led to the 2013 EU ban. Today, we are calling on the EU – the largest cosmetics market in the world – to deliver on the pioneering promise it made. . We are proud to collaborate with Dove and to join our voice to that of all those who act for a global end of animal testing for cosmetics, in support of this initiative of European citizens ».
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