January 14, 2004

By: Nicole Sims
Website: http://www.1st-in-cosmetics.com

Final EU deal to ban cosmetics tested on animals

The sale of virtually all animal-tested cosmetic products will be banned in Britain and the rest of Europe from 2009, following a vote in the European Parliament today. After a ten-year battle, MEPs will give their final approval to new legislation which will ban animal testing in the EU from 2009.

Beauty and hygiene products tested anywhere else in the world will not be allowed to be sold in Britain from that date.

Commenting on the new legislation, local MEP Phillip Whitehead, Labour's Spokesman on Consumer Protection, said; "This is the most significant piece of animal welfare legislation in a decade."

"We want to end the days when chemicals are dripped into animals' eyes, injected into their bodies, forced up their nostrils or down their throats for yet another shade of red lipstick or hair dye. This deal will have profound implications for Britain. With this legislation we have set an end date to take "cruel" cosmetics off the shelves for once and for all"

Commenting on the fact that the testing and sales bans will not come into force until 2009, Mr Whitehead said:

"This is a balanced deal which gives the cosmetics companies time to develop alternative ways of testing. It is a major victory for animal welfare, and for MEPs who, in the face of a sustained industrial lobby over ten years, refused to back down. It is also true that the Member States, including the UK, accepted the Parliament's right to co-decision in the final hours of debate. So it is their achievement too."

About The Author:

Nicole Sims is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cosmetics.com.  Tips on skin care, hair care and beauty products to bring out natural beauty.