Legal Updates - Marketing cosmetics products and animal testing

Regulatory Law – Cosmetics – Cosmetics Directive – Directive 76/768/EEC – European Commission – Animal Testing – Marketing of Cosmetics Products

As of 11 March 2013, cosmetics tested on animals can no longer be marketed in the EU.

In accordance with Directive 76/768/EEC (the “Cosmetics Directive”) animal testing of finished cosmetics products as well as cosmetics ingredients have been banned since 2004 and 2009 respectively.

Since 11 March 2009, it was also prohibited to market cosmetics products and their ingredients which have been tested on animals in order to meet the requirements of the Cosmetics Directive, i.e. the safety of cosmetics products. This ban applied to all but the most complex human health effects. For these, the deadline was extended to 11 March 2013. 

Note: In accordance with the Communication from the European Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the animal testing and marketing ban, data from animal testing carried out before the 2009 and 2013 bans, can be relied on in the safety assessment of cosmetics products.

We will update you further on compliance with the 2013 ban as well as its enforcement shortly.

For any queries on regulatory law or cosmetics law, you may contact us by email [email protected]. Visit http://www.rtcoopers.com/practice_cosmetics.php   

© RT COOPERS, 2013. This Briefing Note does not provide a comprehensive or complete statement of the law relating to the issues discussed nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to highlight general issues. Specialist legal advice should always be sought in relation to particular circumstances.