Alternatives to Cosmetics Testing on Animals

Most standard animal tests currently used were never validated. They have passed into common use through empirical experience and by allowing substantial margins for error. Yet in the case of non-animal alternatives, a very different approach is taken by the industry, the European Commission and regulators, who generally demand that such methods should be 'suitably validated'. Thus, potentially effective non-animal alternatives may be denied official acceptance, despite the fact that the reliability and accuracy of the method to be replaced is not quantifiably known.

In some cases, non-acceptance of new methods is directly due to the lack of available data about existing animal test methods. Additionally, double standards are shown by the fact that even recent proposals for new animal tests have not always been subjected to the rigorous validation demanded for in vitro methods.

The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) , which validates alternative tests at European level, has validated tests for (inter alia) skin corrosivity and skin sensitisation. Regulatory acceptance has been granted for skin corrosivity, phototoxicity, percutaneous absorption and skin sensitisation.

For photoirritancy and skin penetration, some leading scientific experts believe that in vitro methods are already better than existing animal tests. In other areas (and not forgetting the scientific criticisms of the animal tests), it is generally agreed that more work is needed to develop non-animal tests. There is a strong case for targeting research funds towards developmental research for non-animal test methods in these fields given the wider importance of such tests.

The cosmetics industry’s version of the state of alternatives is given on the Web Site of the European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association.


Finished Product Testing

Finished products (or combinations of ingredients) are generally no longer tested on animals by the industry. Eye and skin tolerance can be tested safely in vitro and/or with human volunteers.


With thanks to the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection and the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments.

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