DrKatyTaylor

So the biggest challenges we have faced in trying to secure a ban is the conservative attitude of the scientific community and the fact they are resistant to change. There is also a lack of awareness amongst the public - did you know that 115 millions are used every year?!

In terms of alternatives they are generally better than animal tests - they are also cheaper and faster. There are a wide range of different alternatives from computer models, tissue models and cell based tests. One of the ones I like in particular, which is used in cosmetics tests, uses donated human skin from tummy tucks and breast surgery.

Nobody who knows about the issue would claim that this ban would lead to exploitation of humans – humans will never be at risk from cosmetics testing.

There are a range of non-animal tests available for cosmetics. If you're interested to see exactly what they are, you can see a report on non-animal alternatives I wrote for the EU decision-makers here: http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/_assets/userfiles/files/BUAV_ScienceReport-SCREEN.pdf

Good question! Firstly, it took a long time to raise awareness throughout the EU. Our founding organization set up a group of animal organizations from across Europe to lobby together – the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments.

Secondly, the cosmetics industry was very resistant to the ban. The EU first agreed to the principal of the ban in 1993 but it kept being delayed… for 20 years! This was mainly due to the cosmetics industry arguing that there was a lack of alternatives.

Now we have a ban on animal tests for cosmetics in the EU, we are working for a worldwide ban! More than 80% of countries around the world still allow animal testing for cosmetics. There are some countries that go further than that - notably China, which requires imported cosmetics products to be tested on animals before they reach the market. But the impact of the EU ban for global companies makes change in other markets much more likely and me and my team are working hard to ensure that happens as quickly as possible!

Thanks for your question! In terms of alternatives they are generally better than animal tests - they are also cheaper and faster. There are a wide range of different alternatives from computer models, tissue models and cell based tests. One of the ones I like in particular, which is used in cosmetics tests, uses donated human skin from tummy tucks and breast surgery.

If only! 'Animal tests' can sound fairly harmless, but sadly, this is not the case. In terms of cosmetic testing, the ingredients are often dripped into their eyes and rubbed onto their skin. They are then killed after the test to see what effect the ingredients has had on them.

Here is a link to our site which tells you what happens - http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/en/the-issue/animal-tests-and-alternatives