Europe Says Goodbye to Cosmetic Animal Testing

11 March 2013 is a historic day for animal rights advocates in Europe. A new legislation banning the sales and import of cosmetic products tested on animals came into effect on this date after 20 years of a campaign spearheaded by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV). The ban also includes toiletries.

The implementation of the last phase of the European Union's ban is the result of a long and arduous campaign. Over the years the parties involved fought each postponement and delay, and took its message to the public, the media, key European government departments and ultimately, to Europe.

BUAV was founded in 1898 by philanthropist and suffragette Frances Power Cobbe and has, ever since, been fighting against animal experimentation. In 1990 it helped launch the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments to end animal tests in the European Union. In 1996, it presented a petition with four million signatures to the EU commission to put an end to tests.

The UK led the way and banned the tests in 1998 while in 2003 the EU adopted the 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive. It contained provisions for the phased introduction of EU wide testing bans and bans on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals outside the EU. In 2009 the EU introduced a partial ban while in 2011 BUAV launched its No Cruel Cosmetics to ensure the sale of new animal tested cosmetics are banned in 2013.

BUAV founded the Cruelty Free International website to launch a global campaign to end animal testing everywhere. The Body Shop, the beauty retailer that pioneered sustainable and socially responsible business, is hosting the group's global pledge in its stores worldwide. The campaign was launched with the help of pop singer Leona Lewis, who is a staunch supporter of animal rights.

Image credit: BUAV