We’ve all had a shopper’s-guilt shopper’s-guiltmoment. Whether it’s hastily T-shirtputting a value pack of meat in our cruelty-freetrollies, wondering how extensive cruelty-our carbon footprint is, or buying that cheap T-shirt – most of us have questioned our choices at some point. But questioning the ethical credentials of our beauty stash is a thing of the past, right? Not quite.
There was widespread commendation when the European Commission issued a blanket ban on animal-tested cosmetics back in March 2013. It brought to a close a 20-year campaign to end animal suffering in the name of beauty within the EU (until then, rabbits, mice, rats and guinea pigs were still legal in 80 per cent of countries. In particular, subjected to experiments during the manufacturing process). But, while the ban is in force, the animal testing debate continues – why?
Put simply, it’s because while it’s illegal across the majority of Europe, cosmetic animal experiments are it’s obligatory for international companies to submit their products for testing in China in order to sell there. Thus, many have altered their cruelty-free statements to admit they test on animals ‘when required by law’. There’s also debate around cruelty- free brands owned by animal-testing parent companies, and those that test via third parties. It’s also not illegal in the USA.