Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics

Background 

In the EU, over 10 million animals are subjected to painful animal testing every year. The launch of the Save Free Cruelty Cosmetics citizens' initiative was prompted by the EU Chemicals Agency's request to conduct new tests on substances that had already undergone animal testing and deemed safe for years. Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics aims to uphold the ban on animal-tested cosmetics in the EU while advocating for the development of an action plan to phase out all animal testing. Project 1882, in collaboration with other organisations across Europe, has worked intensively to gather the required number of signatures and is now gratified that the initiative has achieved its objective. 

1.2 million validated signatures 

The signatures were verified, and by January 2023, the final tally exceeded 1.2 million.  

– We are incredibly pleased that so many individuals have spoken up for the millions of animals that are subjected to animal experiments in Europe. This sends a powerful message to the politicians, said Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.  

Project 1882 has long championed the cause of implementing an action plan to phase out animal testing, and this marks a significant step in the right direction. 

Hearing in the European Parliament 

Following an initial meeting between the organisers of the citizens' initiative and the European Commission, the next step was taken in May 2023 - a public hearing in the European Parliament where robust support for the initiative was voiced. 

The hearing was structured into three segments, reflecting the initiative's three main objectives:  

• Protecting and strengthening the ban on animal testing of cosmetics 
• Amending the EU's chemicals legislation 
• Modernising science in the EU 

– Project 1882 has been tirelessly advocating against painful animal testing for over 140 years, so we understand the importance of remaining cautiously optimistic. However, the positive reception at the hearing gives us cause for hope. We are now focused on holding politicians accountable for their commitments to animal welfare and will persist as the voice of animals until animal testing is phased out, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.  

The European Commission's response 

In July 2023, several commendable measures were announced, although the most crucial one - a reinforced ban on animal testing for cosmetics - was omitted.  

A selection of the announced measures: 

• A roadmap will be devised to eliminate all animal testing currently required for chemicals, pesticides, biocides and medicines.  
• The European Research Council will be tasked with coordinating national guidelines to substitute the use of animals in research, thereby accelerating the advancement and implementation of non-animal methods.  
• Consideration is given to establishing an expert committee to offer guidance on the development of non-animal testing methodologies. 
• One or more workshops will be organised with experts to identify future priority areas aimed at accelerating the transition to animal-free research.  

– While it is encouraging that the European Commission is exploring options to accelerate the progress of animal-free research methods, it falls short of the expectations voiced by citizens in Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.