UK Plans to Bring Back Animal Testing for Cosmetic Ingredients

VIVA – The United Kingdom (UK) government plans to bring back animal testing for makeup ingredients despite a 25-year ban. It changed a policy on animal testing to align with EU Chemical rules, according to a High Court ruling. 

The High Court said on Friday that the government was acting legally after a case was brought by animal rights activists. More than 80 brands have said they are "dismayed" by the government's new position.

But, a Home Office spokesperson said: "We are pleased that the High Court has agreed with the Government's position in this case. The government is committed to the protection of animals in science,"

Animal testing for makeup or its ingredients had been completely banned in the UK since 1998. Animal testing had only been allowed if the benefits gained from the research outweighed any animal suffering, for medicines. 

But in 2020 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), an EU agency that oversees chemical regulation, ruled that companies needed to test some ingredients used in cosmetics on animals to ensure they were safe for workers manufacturing the ingredients.

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During the case, it was revealed that since 2019 the government had been issuing licenses for animal testing of cosmetic ingredients in line with EU chemical rules, which it retained despite leaving the EU in 2020.

But manufacturers still cannot undertake any animal testing to check the safety of the makeup for consumers. This should be done using other methods.

This could include testing chemicals commonly found in foundations and concealers by forcing rats to inhale or ingest them.

It is not known how many such licenses were issued or to whom. Cruelty-Free International (CFI), which brought the case, argued this was illegal and in breach of the animal testing ban for makeup and its ingredients, which has stood since 1998. 

The change in the government's position has been heavily criticized by major beauty and cosmetic brands, including Unilever, Body Shop, and Boots. Most major brands have long campaigned to end animal testing.

Cruelty-Free International said it was "outrageous" that the government had effectively lifted the ban.

Christopher Davis, director of activism and sustainability at the Body Shop said they would "campaign vigorously" against the change. "Allowing animal testing of cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice,"

Ingredients that could be tested on animals include homosalate, a common sunscreen ingredient already used in many foundations and skincare products.

In low doses homosalate is safe but in higher concentrations evidence of its impact on the human immune system is inconclusive.

Cruelty-Free International CEO Michelle Thew said: "This case shows clearly that (the UK government) prioritizes the interests of contract testing companies over the interests of animals and the wishes of the vast majority of British people who are strongly opposed to cosmetics testing."

CFI said it will appeal the decision made by the court and ask the government to reinstate the ban entirely in the United Kingdom. 

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But manufacturers still cannot undertake any animal testing to check the safety of the makeup for consumers. This should be done using other methods.