Answer of the European Commission to the ECI “Save cruelty-free cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without animal testing”

The European Commission has released a response on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Save cruelty-free cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without animal testing’. In this comprehensive communication, the Commission carefully analyzed the three objectives of the initiative in the context of current legislation and policies concerning use of animals for testing purposes. For the first two objectives, i.e., “Protect and strengthen the cosmetics animal testing ban” and “Transform EU chemicals legislation”, there is no direct legislative change proposed. Yet, the Commission will develop a roadmap together with concerning parties to reduce and potentially eliminate animal testing in the context of EU’s chemicals legislation. On the third objective “Modernise science in the EU”, a legislative change to phase out use of animals in research, education and training is not foreseen in the near future. The Commission emphasizes though the goal of phasing out animal testing, as soon as it is scientifically possible. For now, two proposals were uttered in the fields of Reduction and Replacement which are:

1. “The Commission is proposing a set of action points to accelerate the reduction of animal testing in research, education and training, including activities that will increase cooperation with Member States."
2. “Furthermore, the Commission will continue to support research on alternatives to animal testing with substantial funding.”

As the 3R Competence Network NRW, we welcome the Commission's response that it envisions the future in reinforcing the 3R measures.