Die Wahrheit über Kosmetik-Tierversuche

Sind Tierversuche in der Kosmetik nicht verboten?

Im Februar 2003 wurde von der EU ein Verbot für Tierversuche im Kosmetikbereich beschlossen, das in zwei Schritten umgesetzt wurde.

Im ersten Schritt traten ab 11. März 2009 zwei durch die 7. Änderung der Kosmetik-Richtlinie festgelegte Verbote in Kraft:

Verbot, Kosmetikinhaltstoffe innerhalb der EU an Tieren zu testen, unabhängig davon, ob validierte tierversuchsfreie Methoden vorhanden sind.
Verbot, nach diesem Datum an Tieren getestete Kosmetika oder Kosmetikinhaltstoffe in der EU zu verkaufen oder in die EU zu importieren (Vermarktungsverbot).

Von dem Vermarktungsverbot sind drei Tierversuche ausgenommen, für die tierversuchsfreie Testmethoden noch validiert werden müssen.

Diese drei noch erlaubten Tierversuche sind:

Giftigkeit bei wiederholter Dosis – Kaninchen oder Ratten wird der Kosmetikinhaltstoff mit einer Schlundsonde in den Magen eingegeben, sie müssen ihn einatmen oder er wird ihnen auf die geschorene Haut gerieben. Die Prozedur erfolgt täglich über einen Zeitraum von 28 oder 90 Tagen. Dann werden die Tiere getötet.
Reproduktions-Giftigkeit (Auswirkung auf die Nachkommen) – Schwangere Kaninchen oder Ratten werden mit der Substanz zwangsgefüttert. Dann werden sie und ihre ungeborenen Jungen getötet.
Toxikokinetik (Aufnahme, Verteilung und Ausscheidung einer Substanz im Körper) – Kaninchen oder Ratten werden mit der Substanz zwangsgefüttert und dann getötet, um ihre Organe daraufhin zu untersuchen, wie die Substanz in ihrem Körper verstoffwechselt wird.

Trotz massiver Einwände der ECEAE behauptet die EU-Kommission, dass unter ‚Giftigkeit bei wiederholter Dosis’ zwei weitere Tierversuche fallen:

Allergie-Test – Meerschweinchen wird die Substanz auf die geschorene Haut und Mäusen auf die Ohren gerieben, um zu beobachten, ob eine allergische Reaktion erfolgt. Dann werden die Tiere getötet.
Krebserregende Eigenschaften – Ratten wird die Substanz zwei Jahre lang zwangsgefüttert, um festzustellen, ob die Tiere Krebs entwickeln. Schließlich werden sie getötet.

Wir sind der Überzeugung, dass diese eigenwillige Interpretation der ‘wiederholten Dosis’ nicht im Sinne des EU-Parlaments und des EU-Ministerrats war, als sie der Kosmetik-Richtlinie zustimmten. Wir werden juristische Schritte einleiten, sollte die geplante Verschiebung des Verbots auch auf diese beiden Tierversuche ausgedehnt werden.

Isn\'t cosmetics animal testing already banned?

In February 2003, the EU agreed a ban on cosmetics animal testing, which came into effect in two stages.

The first stage was implemented on 11th March 2009, when the 7th amendment to the Cosmetics Directive brought into force two bans, and it became illegal to:

test cosmetic ingredients on animals anywhere in the EU, irrespective of whether there is a validated alternative
sell or import into the EU any ingredients to be used in cosmetics (or the cosmetics themselves) tested on animals after that date (the sales or ‘marketing’ ban)

However, three types of animal tests were exempt from this sales or ‘marketing’ ban in order to allow non-animal alternative testing methods to be validated.

The three animal tests still allowed were:

Repeat dose toxicity – rabbits or rats are forced to eat or inhale the cosmetics ingredient or have it rubbed onto their shaved skin every day for 28 or 90 days and are then killed.
Reproductive toxicity – pregnant female rabbits or rats are force-fed the substance and then killed along with their unborn babies.
Toxicokinetics – rabbits or rats are forced to eat the substance and then are killed and their organs examined to see how it is distributed in their bodies.

On 11th March 2013, the EU is set to implement the second and final stage of the ban, prohibiting the import and sale of all newly animal-tested cosmetic products and ingredients in the European Union.

What kinds of animal tests are carried out for cosmetics?: In cosmetics research, painful experiments are carried out worldwide on thousands of animals every year, including, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats. This includes tests for skin or eye irritation, skin sensitisation (allergy), toxicity (poisoning), mutagenicity (genetic damage), teratogencity (birth defects), carcinogenicity (causing cancer), embryonic or fetal genetic damage and toxicokinetics (to study the absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of the substance).

What are the alternatives to animal testing?: There are a variety of approved alternatives that can replace cruel animal tests. Combinations of existing ingredients that have already been established as safe for human use can also be utilised.

It has been estimated that there are around 15,000 ingredients already proven safe for use. More and more cruelty free companies are saying no to animal testing and still produce safe, effective and high quality beauty products.

How do I go cruelty free?: It's easy! Consumers can help by buying cruelty free products. Some of the Europe’s leading high street retailers are approved under the ECEAE’s Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) and/or Humane Household Products Standard (HHPS) so it's now easier than ever to buy products which are not tested on animals.

Companies can help by joining the Standard.

What is the Humane Cosmetics Standard?

Launched in 1998, the HCS is the only internationally recognised scheme that enables consumers to easily identify and purchase cosmetic and toiletry products that have not been tested on animals.

A company can display the Leaping Bunny logo if they have been approved under the Humane Cosmetics Standard.

What does the Leaping Bunny logo mean?

If you see our Leaping Bunny logo on a product, you can be absolutely sure:

The finished product has not been tested on animals
Cosmetic ingredients used to make that product have not been tested on animals in the company’s supply chain after a fixed date
The company has to recommit being cruelty free every year with a full audit

What's the difference between the HCS and other 'cruelty-free' lists?: There are a number of retailers and animal groups promoting their own cruelty free schemes. However, the companies approved by them have sometimes done no more than issue a convincing — yet misleading — policy statement on animal testing.

The HCS/HHPS (Household Products) is the only internationally recognised Standard that guarantees a product is completely free from animal testing within a company’s supply chain after a fixed date, as it requires companies to prove what they claim. It is the only scheme that requires each company to be open to an independent audit throughout its supply chain, to ensure that they adhere to their animal testing policy and the Standard's strict criteria.

What does it mean if a company says 'we do not test on animals' or 'we do not endorse animal testing'?: The company making the product does not do any testing on animals, and does not formally request that animal testing is done on their behalf. But this may not prevent them buying ingredients from suppliers who do.

What does it mean if a company says it funds research into alternatives?: The company donates money to an organisation promoting alternative testing methods. But this would not prevent them using animal testing in their supply chain or their final product.

How can I find out which companies are approved by the ECEAE?: Go to www.gocrueltyfree.org for a list of all the companies that are approved under the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) and Household Product Standard (HHPS). You can search for brands available in your country, or by the brand name.

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