Cosmetic Animal Testing

We live in a world where our pets are considered family. We look to animals for love and companionship as they look to us for protection. Now imagine your pet dog or cat or even rabbit being forced to inhale chemical fumes, ingest toxic ingredients while getting chemicals rubbed onto their shaved scalps, eyes, limbs and raw skin. We are taught that treating animals inhumanely is morally wrong. Section 445.1 (1) (c) of the criminal code clearly states “Every one commits an offence who.. wilfully, without reasonable excuse, administers a poisonous or an injurious drug or substance to a domestic animal or bird or an animal or a bird wild by nature that is kept in captivity or, being the owner of such an animal or a bird, wilfully permits a poisonous or an injurious drug or substance to be administered to it” this however does not include animals used in cosmetic research because it’s considered a “reasonable excuse”.

The western world has practised animal testing for years. Cosmetic animal research was introduced when people started experiencing horrible side effects from beauty and hygiene products. In the 1930's more than a dozen women in the United States went blind because of Lash Lure. This mascara contained a chemical that could burn the skin. One women had such severe burns she died due to infections. Since then, all cosmetic manufacturers have to prove their products are safe before being sold. In the past, animal testing was the only way to provide proof. However, humans react to chemicals differently than animals so is it as reliable as it’s made out to be? In today’s generation many organizations such as PETA oppose the unnecessary use of animals in cosmetic testing and strongly encourages that the manufacturers use non-animal models whenever possible. Non-animal models include computer simulations, in vitro tests and epidemiological studies. With today’s advanced technology we have no reason to use animals. There are over 400 companies that are now cruelty free but innocent animals still suffer everyday.

On March 11th 2013, the European Union passed a complete ban on animal testing for cosmetics. Cosmetic products tested on animals including the ingredients cannot be sold in the E.U even if the company sells the product in another global market. The E.U  is the world’s first set of countries to ban cosmetic testing. The New York Times stated “European Union regulators announced a ban on the import and sale of cosmetics containing ingredients tested on animals and to pledge more efforts to push other parts of the world, like china to accept alternatives.” (New York Times 2013) The E.U has proven that cosmetic animal testing can be avoided and put to an end which has influenced other nations around the world. Many are now considering to ban the cruelty such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Some nations have since achieved banning cosmetic testing for example India. On June 28, 2013 India banned the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals, being the first country in Asia to do so. Other countries have also banned the practice such as Israel and Norway (PETA 2015). The Western world has set a standard that now all nations need to live up too. The video below is a demonstration the company, Lush, performed to spread awareness of how cruel cosmetic testing is.

Major corporations will do whatever they can to remain in the western world market. If enough nations around the world ban animal testing, it would force corporations like Covergirl and L’oreal to develop alternative testing methods since they’d be at risk of losing their primary markets. In the cosmetic industry the consumer's money has been able to affect the presence of animal testing. If everyone refuses to buy the products tested on animals the companies will have to turn cruelty free. The lives of animals are far more important than the health of profit margins. In 2012, Urban Decay Cosmetics, an American company that does not test on animals, decided to begin selling their products in China. China, legally requires cosmetic companies to test their products on animals before being sold. However, the protesting in the United States was so huge that the company decided not to expand into the Chinese market. This is a prime example of how much power the consumer’s dollar has. The US refusing to do business with companies that practice animal testing forces cosmetic manufacturers to give up the practice.

In conclusion, I believe it's only a matter of time until cosmetic animal testing is banned across the world. I am optimistic about the animal protection in the not too distant future. I believe the E.U has sent a symbolic message to cosmetic consumers and companies and has influenced the world by taking a stand and being a voice for the animals.

Watch at your own risk. Some may find content disturbing. 

References

Kantamneni, V. (2014, April 10). Cosmetics Animal Testing Has Been Banned in These Amazing Places. Retrieved from One Green Planet website: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/countries-that-have-banned-cosmetics-animal-testing/

Kanter, J. (2013, March 11). E.U. Bans Cosmetics With Animal-Tested Ingredients. Retrieved from New York Times website: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/business/global/eu-to-ban-cosmetics-with-animal-tested-ingredients.html?_r=0

Murnaghan, I. (2016, January 20). Background and History of Animal Testing. Retrieved from About Animal Testing website: http://www.aboutanimaltesting.co.uk/background-history-animal-testing.html

PETA. (2015). Testing Cosmetics and Household Products on Animals. Retrieved from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals website: http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-experimentation/cosmetic-household-products-animal-testing/