EU to ban animal tested cosmetics.

EU to ban animal tested cosmetics.

Cosmetic products tested on animals will be banned in the European Union from 2009, it has been agreed. Additionally, the import of cosmetic products tested on animals in non-EU countries will also be outlawed. The measure had been expected to be passed since an original announcement in the summer, but was not guaranteed until member states agreed on details during a marathon debate on the issue over the weekend. The run-up to the ban is expected to see an increase in development of the already numerous alternative testing methods. The import ban will dissuade cosmetic companies from relocating to non-EU to avoid alternative testing and production methods whilst maintaining an EU market. Animal testing for cosmetic products is a particularly vilified form of animal abuse, due mainly to the massive variety of cosmetics available and the various alternative testing methods in existence.