The “Necessity” of Cosmetic Animal Testing

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require cosmetic testing on animals, it does allow a company to take whatever steps necessary to prove product safety. This includes animal testing. Even though the FDA does advocate for alternative methods of testing, it seems to be an all too common perception that animal testing is necessary for the development of safe products. This is evidenced by the hundreds of companies that still test on animals. I have never understood why it is seen as the best way to test cosmetics. Does testing mascara on a rabbit really prove that it is safe for human use? There are plenty of alternatives to testing on animals, so it is any wonder why companies continue this horrific practice.

The United States is significantly behind in banning animal testing of cosmetics. In 2004, the European Union (EU) banned domestic cosmetic testing on animals. In 2009, the EU went even further by banning animal testing of the ingredients used in cosmetics. Additionally, they banned the sale of products that have been tested on animals. Finally, in early 2013, the EU’s final deadline of prohibiting marketing of products that are tested on animals was complete. On January 1, 2013, Israel’s ban on animal testing for cosmetics went into effect prohibiting the importation and marketing of products that test on animals. Similar to the EU, this was the second step in a process that started in 2007 with the banning of domestic animal testing. Finally, in July of this year, India joined the EU and Israel, by prohibiting animal testing on cosmetics and ingredients.

So, why is the United States still allowing animal testing? This is a question that plagues me every time I purchase any sort of cosmetic product. I make a conscious effort to not purchase products that are tested on animals, but know that many people don’t even think about it. Thankfully, there are a growing number of companies that do not test on animals, and some that are even launching campaigns against animal testing. Additionally, organizations, like PETA and the Humane Society of the United States are launching cruelty free campaigns. With the growing number of cruelty free companies and other countries enacting bans, hopefully the end of cosmetic animal testing becomes a reality in the United States—sooner rather than later.