U.S. Next Target In Cruelty Free’s Crusade For Global Animal-Test Ban
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Cruelty Free International calls on FDA to follow the EU’s example and ban animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients. The group has launched a new campaign to generate support among American consumers while inviting visitors to its website to sign a global pledge to end cosmetic animal testing worldwide.
Galvanized by the ban on cosmetic animal-testing in Europe, Cruelty Free International has set its sights on the U.S., asking American consumers to join its push for prohibitions mirroring those across the Atlantic.
“The Food and Drug Administration must follow Europe’s lead and do the right thing for animals and consumers by mandating non-animal methods for cosmetics immediately,” says Cruelty Free CEO Michelle Thew in an April 11 release.
The global organization is calling on FDA to ban the use of animals in cosmetic product and ingredient testing and require firms to employ alternative test methods, which “are safe, less expensive, reliable, more predictive and kind to animals,” Cruelty Free maintains.
Both measures could be done without new legislation, according to the animal-welfare group.
“FDA can simply insert a clause into existing regulations stating that it no longer accepts animal test data to prove the safety of cosmetics,” Cruelty Free suggests.
At minimum, in cases where testing can be performed via alternative methods, FDA could require companies to do so instead of resorting to animals, the group says.
Currently, U.S. food and drug law requires cosmetics manufacturers to substantiate the safety of products and ingredients prior to market launch by “whatever testing is appropriate and effective.”
On its website, FDA notes that it supports the development and use of alternative testing strategies to refine, reduce and replace animal tests, but acknowledges that in some cases, available in vitro tests and other alternative methods may not be sufficient to assure safety.
While supporting the spirit of the ban in Europe, industry has expressed frustration with the timing of the prohibition, which went into full effect in March under the European Cosmetics Directive despite the lack of approved alternative tests to cover challenging endpoints, including repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics (Also see "EU Hopes To Make Animal-Test Ban Global Model" - HBW Insight, 18 Mar, 2013.).
Industry representatives have argued that the ban threatens innovation and could cause disruptions in the marketplace, though some stakeholders believe there could be loopholes in the regulation for an industry short on options (Also see "Questions Remain On Animal Testing Ban, Possible Loopholes" - HBW Insight, 25 Feb, 2013.).
Cruelty Free holds that a ban on animal testing in the cosmetics sector is manageable through the use of alternative tests and “combinations of ingredients already known to be safe,” as demonstrated by such brands as Burt’s Bees, Jason, Badger and The Body Shop, which carry the organization’s Leaping Bunny certification seal on their products.
Those brands also have natural positionings and are not known to be at the forefront of innovations in the sector when it comes to cutting-edge ingredient and product performance.
To put a face on its U.S. campaign, Cruelty Free has partnered with Emmy-winning actor Peter Dinklage, known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones.
The organization’s roster of celebrity ambassadors also includes British funny man Ricky Gervais and soul singer Joss Stone.
Repeating EU Success “Worldwide”
Cruelty Free says the European ban on animal-tested cosmetics represents the culmination of a 20-year campaign led by its founding organization, BUAV (British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection).
Now, Cruelty Free has teamed with the New England Anti-Vivisection Society to drive U.S. advocacy efforts. Both groups have offices in Boston.
“This brings together two of the world’s longest standing and most respected animal protection organizations in a united effort,” Cruelty Free states.
BUAV and NEAVS have worked together already as members of the Mandatory Alternatives Petition (MAP) Coalition, dedicated to achieving changes in federal law that would mandate the use of available alternative testing methods among FDA-regulated companies seeking product approvals.
“As it now stands, industry need only ‘consider’ alternatives,” the coalition explains at Alternatives-Petition.org. “This lack of mandate perpetuates the dependence on cruel and ineffective status quo animal testing.”
Ultimately, BUAV/Cruelty Free’s goal is to eliminate cosmetic animal testing on a global scale. It notes that “with offices in London, Boston and Singapore, Cruelty Free International is applying its determination and vision on a global stage to repeat its success in Europe worldwide.”
China and Brazil are under increasing pressure to modify their animal-testing requirements for cosmetics firms, while India has shown signs of movement toward a ban (Also see "Cosmetic Animal-Testing Regs Tighten Around Globe, Per EU’s Example" - HBW Insight, 21 Jan, 2013.).
Cruelty Free invites consumers to sign its online pledge in support of a global ban on cosmetic animal testing. To raise awareness, the group has partnered with The Body Shop, which will promote the pledge in its stores worldwide, targeting the estimated 275 million people who visit the retailer’s stores each year.