EU deal on animal-tested cosmetics

Animals are tested for possible side-effects

The European Union has reached a deal paving the way for a ban on the testing of cosmetics on animals.

Bathroom shelves are already packed with shampoos, deodorant and face creams, and we do not need any more if the price to be paid is continued animal suffering

MEP Chris Davies

The deal bans tests within the EU and also forbids animal-tested products from being marketed within the EU or imported from other countries.

Elements of the draft law have now been agreed by the European Commission and the European Parliament, but it is yet to be formally adopted by both institutions.

Both sides had been split on the issue of when the ban should come into force, and some countries had expressed concern that such a ban could cause problems with the World Trade Organisation, as it could be interpreted as a barrier to trade.

However both sides came to a compromise which would introduce the ban in 2009, giving cosmetics companies time to develop alternative ways of testing.

"The compromise allows for the development of alternative testing methods of cosmetics to the benefit of consumer safety," said Danish Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt.

"All in all we have achieved a well-balanced agreement."

'Animal suffering'

A Member of the European Parliament for Britain's Liberal Democratic Party, Chris Davies, welcomed the deal, saying the cosmetics industry had "dragged its feet" for too long with regards to the issue of animal testing.

"Bathroom shelves are already packed with shampoos, deodorant and face creams, and we do not need any more if the price to be paid is continued animal suffering," he said.

Many cosmetics such as hand creams, lipsticks, and perfumes are tested by companies on animals for the possibility of side effects.

Laboratories often use animals in testing to check whether a product causes skin irritation or more dangerous ailments such as cancer.

The testing of cosmetics on animals is already banned in the UK, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, but products tested in other countries are sold.

The EU cosmetics industry is worth up to $44.1bn a year, the Associated Press news agency reported.