An animal welfare charity said that ministers have allowed for expanded animal testing to cosmetic ingredients, which is the first expansion of animal testing in 23 years.Cruelty Free International (CFI), which claimed that animal testing of cosmetic ingredients, which were banned in the UK in 1998, could be necessary after being informed by the Home Office about a change in policy.The government stated in a letter that it would be aligning itself to a decision by the European Chemicals Agency's appeals board (ECHA) last year, which stated that certain ingredients used in cosmetics should be tested on animals to ensure safety.While the Home Office maintained that UK law regarding animal testing was unchanged, campaigners warned that accepting ECHA's ruling could result in a wider use of animal testing.ECHA ruled that Symrise, a German chemical company, had to conduct animal tests on two cosmetic ingredients in order to comply with chemicals regulations. This was to override EU restrictions on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients. These ingredients are used in a variety of cosmetics.The Home Office stated in a letter to CFI, seen by Guardian, that it wanted to clarify its position publicly now through the formal publication of a revised policy and regulatory guidance.CFI warned the UK that by agreeing with the ECHA decision, it would be putting a crimp in its leadership on animal testing.A spokesperson for the government responded that there was no legislative change and that the ban on animal testing for cosmetic products was still in effect.Animal testing on single or multiple-use ingredients is allowed under UK regulations. They stated that such testing cannot be done if there are no alternatives to animal testing.Dr Katy Taylor, CFI's director of science & regulatory affairs, stated that even cosmetic ingredients with a track record of safe use can be tested in animal testing in the UK.This decision will erode the UK's long-standing leadership in animal testing cosmetics. It also makes mockery of the countrys efforts to remain at the forefront of research and innovation. The UK is relying again on unjustifiable and cruel tests that go back more than 50 years.The Labour government tried to ban animal testing in cosmetics across the EU using its own legislation. In 2004, the EU ban on testing cosmetic ingredients was implemented.Kerry Postlewhite (CFI's director of public relations) stated that the letter indicated that the UK would not abide by animal testing bans following Brexit.Dr Julia Fentem is the head of Unilever's safety and environment assurance centre. Unilever is one of the largest cosmetics manufacturers in the world. She said that there was always uncertainty over how to comply with EU cosmetics and chemicals legislation. She stated that the UK's decision to join Symrise was a retrograde move.Fentem estimates that there are approximately 100 cosmetics-only chemicals that could be subject to testing on animals under the chemicals regulations.Most of these ingredients were subject to some animal testing before animal testing bans were implemented. This was done in order to evaluate things such as eye and skin irritation. Taylor stated that the chemicals legislation, at the least in the Symrise instance, requires additional animal testing, including the investigation of the effect of the ingredient on a developing foetus.She stated that many cosmetics-only chemical products have been around for decades without causing any problems. However, the new chemicals legislation could force companies to perform extensive animal testing to ensure compliance.Frame, a UK charity, conducted a 2020 survey and found that 84% would not purchase a cosmetics product if it or any of its ingredients had been tested on animals.Symrise challenged the European court's decision on scientific grounds.Fentem stated that there are sophisticated approaches that can guarantee the safety of cosmetics, without using animals. These regulations don't align with science.She stated that the UK's move was a complete reverse of the UK's leadership in animal-free cosmetics testing. This is the signal to consumers who are looking at logos on packaging that promote sustainability, no animal testing, vegan, etc. It basically means that everything about cruelty-free products collapses.
