It was years in the making, but European Union leaders finally banned the sale of all cosmetics that rely on animal testing during development. The ban is total: No cosmetic products from any market in the world can enter the EU for sale if they violate the new rules.
“This is in line with what many European citizens believe firmly — that the development of cosmetics does not warrant animal testing,” said the European Commission, in making the announcement, Agence France-Presse reports.
The EU has been slowly sifting out cosmetics that are animal-tested since the early 1990s. The few exceptions that were allowed are now gone. Animal rights activists say the testing was cruel and unnecessary, AFP reports.
Japan, too, has cracked down on its cosmetics trade. The country’s Shiseido makeup company said it dropped most of its animal testing in response to pressure from the government.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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