EU determined to speed pace of alternative tests

The European Commission has launched a three-pronged attack on using animals to test cosmetics, notably by releasing formal guidelines on labelling claiming products were tested in other ways. Participating manufacturers, whose products could gain a significant marketing boost from these labels, must follow common criteria to make such claims. Moreover, said a Commission statement, a company "that choses to have this labelling must be able to prove the reality of the absence of animal testing".

The initiative comes as the Commission has announced a drive to encourage cosmetics companies to increase non-animal testing. This involves the Commission studying the past adoption of animal-free tests to help draft advice on making similar switches in the future.

Brussels also said it would prioritise funding for research into non-animal testing, and would publicise best practice in reducing or eliminating the practice, while the Commission has promised to speed up EU regulatory approval of new alternative test methods.