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Cosmetics Campaign
The aim of the cosmetics campaign is to end animal testing of cosmetic products and ingredients and the sale of any animal tested cosmetics. This is based on the ethical standpoint that the production of new cosmetics should not cause animal suffering.
Contents:
- Cosmetics Campaign: Resources Available
- Cosmetics Testing: Background Information
- Banning Cosmetic Testing on Animals: The Voluntary Ban and the Legislative Ban (see below)
- Campaign Images and Photographs (Please be warned: Because we need to expose the horrible reality of cosmetic testing on animals, some of the Cosmetic Campaign images and photographs are rather graphic and painful to see.)
The cosmetics campaign takes a two-pronged approach:
VOLUNTARY - seeking to influence cosmetic companies voluntarily to end animal testing, and consumers to buy 'cruelty free' cosmetics. This section includes information about industry claims about cosmetic testing.
LEGISLATIVE - seeking to achieve a legislative ban on animal testing of cosmetics and the sale of animal tested cosmetics.
The voluntary campaign fuels the legislative campaign by increasing public awareness of the issue, and proving that it is feasible for cosmetic companies to stop animal testing - without stopping product innovation (and without going out of business!). Th is leads to public pressure in favour of a legislative ban, and - very gradually! - diminishes the traditional industry resistance to a ban.
To make a successful campaign, groups will need to formulate a campaign strategy based on their desired aims. A campaign image (see link above) will need to be decided upon. It may help to join with other groups, to share in a concerted campaign strategy (perhaps backed up with individual actions relevant nationally as well). Campaign resources will be needed, such as leaflets and information/fact sheets. If a media campaign is planned, it is helpful to have media briefing and a supply of slides/photos and video footage available for the media.
The European Coalition to End Animal Experiments comprises animal protection groups throughout Europe sharing a common interest in working together to end animal experimentation. It has spearheaded action on the cosmetics campaign at European level - both in respect of the voluntary campaign and in lobbying for a legislative ban on animal testing of cosmetics at European Union level. The Coalition was established in 1990, originally as the European Coalition to End Cosmetic Testing on Animals and later expanding its remit to include all areas of animal experimentation. A phased ban on both animal testing of cosmetics and the sale of animal tested cosmetics was finally agreed in 2003, after a long, hard campaign. The European Coalition's web site includes information on both the legislative and consumer campaigns in the EU.
Further information on the consumer campaign is found on the BUAV’s cruelty free microsite.
In the USA, eight influential animal protection societies have joined together in the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics to work on the voluntary campaign, forming the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics. In November 1996 they launched the 'Corporate Standard of Compassion', along with 'Cruelty Free' cosmetics companies, which covered all cosmetics and household products. Although it does not cover household products, the European Standard has been harmonised with the USA standard, enabling a new international standard to be born.
