The campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics has achieved remarkable success in the EU and UK, but faces ongoing challenges globally as markets in China and elsewhere require testing.
Cosmetics animal testing welfare improvements represent one of the clearest policy successes in animal welfare history. The EU ban, followed by the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and numerous other jurisdictions, eliminated a significant source of animal suffering for cosmetic development. Remaining challenges include: brands that test in China-specific formulations (requiring animal tests), brands that use parent companies' previously animal-tested ingredients, and jurisdictions without comprehensive bans. The alternatives science is sufficiently advanced that most cosmetic safety testing can now be accomplished without animal use. Consumer demand for certified cruelty-free products has driven rapid industry change.