The term ‘cruelty-free’ is meant to mark a product that hasn’t been or doesn’t contain ingredients that have been tested on animals. Unfortunately, animal testing is still widely used in the world and, in some countries like China, it’s mandatory by law. In 2013, a ban came into place in Europe meaning that no cosmetics or ingredients could be tested on animals. This landmark ban was an incredible statement by the European Union, making it clear that testing on animals and making money from it is unacceptable. India and Israel followed soon after with bans of their own. In Australia, a ban has been proposed for several years – prompting celebration from animal rights activists – but at the time of writing, the ban is delayed and has yet to come into effect. Cosmetics companies are currently not testing on animals in Australia, but some conduct their animal research elsewhere in the world, for the products to then be sold on the Australian market. A bill to ban animal testing for cosmetics was introduced in the US, but has not yet passed at the time of writing.
But – and it’s an important ‘but’ – there are loopholes in the incredibly complicated EU law. Contrary to what you might immediately conclude, the ban does not mean it’s now OK to gallop off to the beauty counter and go straight for the mainstream brand you know and love. The ban forbids companies from testing products and ingredients in the EU and selling animal-tested products and ingredients in the EU. It also forbids companies from testing products and ingredients on animals elsewhere and selling these in the EU. What it doesn’t keep companies from doing is testing on animals outside the EU and selling them out of the EU. This makes it possible for companies to profit from testing on animals, as long as they do not do it within the EU.