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Original poster

Animal testing for cosmetics restarted in UK

62 replies

Silverbook · 06/05/2023 09:14

Surely I’m not the only one horrified by this? To be clear- this is NOT for medical purposes but for make up? Surely if industries have managed to safely produce make up, without using animal experiments in the last 25 years (while under EU guidelines), they can continue to do so?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65484552

Woman applying concealer under eyes in front of hand held mirror

Animal tests for makeup resume after 25-year ban

The High court dismisses case brought by animal activists against a government change in policy.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65484552

OP posts:
YouveGotAFastCar · 07/05/2023 07:20

cocoloco117 · 06/05/2023 11:08

I presume it’s in order to sell into markets such as China that mandate animal testing.

No, there’s been separate agreements for this in place for years - I did some work with L’Oreal 12 years ago and this was sorted then. Essentially they can do the required testing for China while still claiming to be animal testing free here - which is why they don’t tend to make any decent list of brands that don’t test on animals.

There has been no regulatory changes in China, so this is a decision much closer to home.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/05/2023 07:22

daisydaisy11 · 07/05/2023 07:00

Shame on the uk. Moving backwards. Please only buy leaping bunny products.

Can someone clarify that leaping bunny products definitely are vegan?

GeeHDees · 07/05/2023 07:33

Reachh · 06/05/2023 23:42

I work in interpreting chemical regs and there’s a general misunderstanding in the public re animal testing of cosmetics.

Substances in ALL chemical products in the EU are tested on animals. These substances are in all kinds of things: window cleaner, cleaning spray, car engine oil, you name it.

Whatever substance is only tested on animals ONCE (not defending this just stating the process.) Then other companies buy into the data.

Products themselves are not tested on animals. When companies such as Lush say their products arenot tested on animals, this is meaningless marketing BS because no one tests their finished products on animals. Lush will either buy into or use for free, data on the substances they put into the products they make. So they’re still taking advantage of animal testing technically.

Until recently, substances tested on animals where substance was solely used in cosmetics was not allowed. But if the data was existing for other product types the cosmetic companies could buy into it. Now testing is allowed but you’ve got to have a strong case such as not being able to extrapolate from existing data/ data from similar substances / theoretical calculations.

So there’s a lot of outcry now about now allowing testing of cosmetic substances on animals. Which won’t be that many as a lot of the data already exists. But what people may be less aware of is that whilst this debate goes on, all the other types of chemical products (and that’s a lot) have substances that have been tested or will be tested on animals.

Also Uk law copied all the EU laws following Brexit.

I’m not saying animal testing is right, just outlining the process.

The EU and UK are trying to move away fromanimal testing but it’s moving slower than desired tbh.

Thank you for bringing some sanity to this thread when most couldn't even be bothered to read the article.

GeeHDees · 07/05/2023 07:35

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/05/2023 07:22

Can someone clarify that leaping bunny products definitely are vegan?

Show quote history

Nope not necessarily, you need to check the ingredients. Leaping bunny just means no new tests have had to be carried out for the product, they will have been tested at some point.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/05/2023 07:37

That’s annoying, but thank you for your reply.

Reachh · 07/05/2023 10:05

GeeHDees · 07/05/2023 07:33

Thank you for bringing some sanity to this thread when most couldn't even be bothered to read the article.

Show quote history

You’re very welcome, I know it’s very long. 😂

The authorities want to move away from animal testing using ‘read across’ which is looking existing data for similar substances. Or similar scientific alternatives.

Reading animal reports testing has always made me very uncomfortable (I never commissioned animal testing or worked for companies doing it, I used to be a consultant managing client’s applications for chemical registrations).

The authorities aren’t evil - they want to make sure substances being put on the market aren’t harmful to an unacceptable level to humans. They minimise the amount of animals tested as much as possible. I hate that this is at the expense of animals though and I hope it becomes a thing of the past (I’d imagine in the next few decades).

Reachh · 07/05/2023 10:11

I do wonder how many of these ‘outraged’ companies will buy into the data Company X generates for snazzy new cosmetic substance, once they see snazzy new cosmetic substance has fantastic properties…

TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 07/05/2023 10:24

@HollyGolightly4 There are two decent sites you can check. I'm having trouble getting links (phone is playing up). Ethical elephant is a good one and cruelty free kitty is also quite good.

TempName247 · 07/05/2023 10:49

I hate the thought of animal testing but I don’t know what the alternative would be. Everyone saying they are against it, you will all be benefiting from past testing in any products and medication you use.

RampantIvy · 07/05/2023 16:05

you will all be benefiting from past testing in any products and medication you use.

Yes. Dogs and pigs were used for insulin testing in the early days.

PollyPeptide · 17/05/2023 18:08

Good news. Braverman says no new licences to be granted.

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