The UK government has shown its strong opposition to animal cruelty by banning new licenses for animal testing of cosmetics ingredients with immediate effect. The UK had already forbidden animal testing for finished cosmetic products for over 25 years. However, EU regulations had loopholes that allowed some animal testing of the ingredients used in cosmetics under the pretext of ensuring worker and environmental safety.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman ended this practice through her recent statement to Parliament. She reaffirmed that the UK’s longstanding ban on animal testing for cosmetic products remains fully in force. While admitting a “small number” of animal testing licenses were recently granted under EU rules, Braverman declared that “from today no new licenses will be granted for animal testing of chemicals that are exclusively intended to be used as ingredients in cosmetics products.”
The UK government is now looking for alternatives to replace animal testing for assessing the safety of cosmetics ingredients. Braverman promised to urgently work with relevant companies to phase out existing licenses and thoroughly review the administration of the UK’s animal testing ban.
Animal welfare groups applauded the UK’s decisive move, which demonstrates the country’s commitment to higher standards of animal protection. Experts argue that non-animal methods like in vitro testing have become sufficiently advanced and can reliably ensure the safety of cosmetics ingredients without harming animals.
By banning cosmetics ingredient testing on animals, the UK is taking an ethical stance against unnecessary animal cruelty and championing the development of modern, humane scientific methods. This ban signals the UK’s intent to establish stronger regulations that prioritize the replacement of outdated practices like cosmetics-related animal testing.
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