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It’s time to ‘Makeover the World’

It’s time to ‘Makeover the World’

One year on from the EU sales ban on cosmetics newly tested on animals, the RSPCA is calling for
change worldwide.

New research shows that the public is behind this movement with 76% of women and 59% of men wanting to
see animal testing for cosmetics completely stopped worldwide and 71% of people saying that they would
prefer not to buy a product if they knew it was from a company still testing on animals.

Eloise Shavelar, RSPCA Campaign Manager said: “Many people believe that testing cosmetics using animals
is a thing of the past*, yet numerous animals over much of the world still suffer in the name of beauty. We want
to see the day when no new cosmetics products or ingredients are tested on any animal, anywhere in the
world.”

The RSPCA is opposed to the use of animals to test cosmetics. Animals, such as mice, rats and rabbits, can
experience pain and distress in such experiments and we believe this suffering for beauty is unacceptable. A
25year campaign by the RSPCA and other animal protection groups led to the EU cosmetics testing and
marketing bans, the latter of which came into force on 11 March 2013 and prohibits the sale and marketing in
the EU of cosmetic products newly tested on animals.

Yet, despite the EU ban on the sale of cosmetics newly tested on animals, many products found on EU shelves
are made by cosmetic companies that are still involved in animal testing. Consumers should be aware that
many well-known brands continue to test their products or ingredients on animals outside of the EU to sell in
other parts of the world, or choose to continue to market their products in countries where the authorities
require mandatory animal testing.

Eloise continued: “If cosmetics companies can comply with this EU ban and still trade within the EU, there is no
reason why they cannot adhere to a nontesting policy worldwide. There is no excuse for any more animals to
suffer in these tests.”

The RSPCA’s ‘Makeover the World’ campaign is urging cosmetics companies to:

? no longer use animals to develop new products or ingredients

? not market further products in countries where animal testing is required

? help further the development of humane alternative methods.

Most cosmetics products have a lifespan of less than five years and manufacturers reformulate around 25
percent of their products every year. Cosmetics companies will therefore look to develop innovative new
products and currently this can involve the use of animals.

Eloise explains: “There are already more than 20,000 approved chemical ingredients available to producers of
cosmetics products. Our research shows that people don’t want to see the continuation of animal testing just
so there are a few more ingredients to put in a makeup or skincare product. We want to make sure companies
know how consumers feel.”

The EU sales ban has had a positive knock on effect with countries like Israel, India and Brazil introducing
improved practices and legislation.

The RSPCA is calling on animal lovers and beauty lovers alike to take action at:
www.rspca.org.uk/makeovertheworld

Campaign supporters will be able to email some of the world’s largest cosmetics companies and find out how
to dedicate a makeover to the campaign. Made in Chelsea star Cheska Hull, Beauty writer Lorna Claire
Weightman and Model Tara Newton have already dedicated a makeover to #makeovertheworld

 


 

Notes to the editors:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,082 adults. Fieldwork was
undertaken between 28th February 3rd March 2014. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been
weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

*41% of people believe that the use of animals for cosmetics testing is a thing of the past.

The EU introduced animal testing bans in 2004 and 2009. Firstly banning tests on animals of finished
cosmetics products, followed by staged bans on different animal tests used for cosmetic ingredients.

On 11 March 2013 the final element of these bans came into force which prohibits cosmetics products newly
tested on animals (or containing cosmetics ingredients newly tested on animals) being imported and sold to EU
consumers.

For information about the top 10 global cosmetic companies visit: www.rspca.org.uk/cosmeticcompanies

India and Israel have recently banned the use of animals in cosmetics testing in their countries. Chinese
authorities currently require mandatory animal testing of imported cosmetics products, however, from July 2014
China will no longer require certain types of cosmetics product, produced domestically, to be the subject of animal tests.

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Email: press@rspca.org.uk  Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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Find out more: www.freedomfood.co.uk/anniversary

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