The European Chemicals Agency has sparked outrage after ruling that two chemicals used in a wide variety of beauty products must be tested on animals despite the EU-wide order that bans animal testing for cosmetic purposes.
While the demand for cruelty-free products continues to rise, the European Chemicals Agency ruled that products containing homosalate and/or octyl salicylate must be tested on animals in order to assess potential risks to production line workers.
The two chemicals are found in a variety of beauty products such as moisturizers, lip balms, sunscreens, and so on. They can be found in popular brands such as L’Oreal, Dove, and Body Shop.
The controversial ruling follows seven years after testing beauty products on animals became banned in the European Union and long after safety watchdogs confirmed that the two aforementioned chemicals are safe for use in cosmetics.
Following the ruling, people and activists have slammed the agency for undermining the EU-wide ban on animal testing.
“As a direct result of these rulings, more than 5,500 rats, rabbits and fish are required to be used in new tests,” Julia Baines of PETA expressed.
“Yet consumers and the European Parliament have consistently demanded the cosmetics ban on animal testing must not be compromised.”
Taking an aim at the European Chemicals Agency was also Unilever whose safety chief warned that imposed animal testing will mean brands will have to reformulate their products to avoid animal cruelty.
“We don’t agree that animal testing is necessary to protect workers and the environment, and strongly encourage the use of non-animal data,” Julia Fentem said.
“We support calls for a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics and a growing number of our brands, including Dove, are certified by Peta. If animal testing becomes a requirement for any existing ingredient used in our products, it will be necessary to reformulate.”
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