Despite a 25-year ban, the UK government has permitted the return of animal testing for cosmetic products. An order from the High Court required it to modify its policy on animal testing in order to comply with EU chemical regulations.
After an animal rights activist’s lawsuit was filed, the High Court ruled that the government was operating legally. More than 80 brands have declared that they are “dismayed” by the government’s new stance. A representative for the Home Office told the BBC: “We are happy that the High Court upheld the Government’s stance in this case. Animal protection in science is a priority for the government. Since 1998, it has been illegal in the UK to test cosmetics or its ingredients on animals.
Only when the advantages of the research surpassed any animal suffering, such as when developing new medications, has animal testing been permitted. However, in 2020 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), an EU agency that regulates chemicals, decided that businesses have to test some substances used in cosmetics on animals to make sure they were secure for the employees who made the ingredients.
The lawsuit revealed that, despite leaving the EU in 2020, the government has continued to provide permits for animal testing of cosmetic chemicals since 2019. This was done in accordance with EU chemical regulations.. This may entail subjecting animals to tests on substances that are frequently found in foundation and concealer by forcing them to inhale or consume them. Neither the number nor the recipients of such licenses are known.
Animal testing for cosmetics and their ingredients has been prohibited since 1998, according to Cruelty Free International (CFI), which launched the lawsuit. CFI maintained that this was against the law and violated the ban. While he acknowledged it was “regrettable” the public had not been informed, Mr. Justice Levin ruled in favor of the government, stating that the change in policy still complied with the law.
Major cosmetics and cosmetic companies, such as Unilever, Body Shop, and Boots, have harshly criticized the government’s shift in policy. Ending animal testing has long been a priority for the majority of major brands. According to Cruelty Free International, it is “outrageous” that the government has inadvertently overturned the restriction. The body Shop would “campaign vigorously” against the revisions, according to Christopher Davis, director of activism and sustainability at the company.
Millions of individuals who have backed movements to ban this abhorrent practice would suffer a severe blow if animal testing were permitted for cosmetics, he said following the decision. One of the substances that can be subject to animal testing is homosalate, a common sunscreen component included in a lot of foundations and skincare products. Homosalate is harmless when consumed in small amounts, however evidence of its effects on the human immune system at higher dosages is conflicting.
To safeguard the security of their employees, manufacturers can now seek for licenses to conduct animal testing before the start of production. To ensure that the makeup is safe for consumers, however, they are still unable to conduct any animal testing. Alternative techniques should be used for this.
