Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, has called on the Government to support a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics.

In letters to the Minister for Security and Economic Crime and the Minister for the Commonwealth and the UN, Jean has urged the Government to support a convention to end animal testing for all cosmetics products and ingredients worldwide.

Read the full letter below, or click here:

Dear Minister,

Government support for a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics

The UK has taken a lead role in the ending of animal testing for cosmetics. As you will know, animal testing for cosmetics is banned across the European Union, including the UK, and there is also an EU-wide marketing ban. A number of other countries have also taken action. However, progress is still needed internationally to end this cruel practice.

As a result the European Parliament’s Environment Committee has called for action at United Nations level for a global ban on cosmetics testing, and this issue will be taken up by the European Parliament in plenary in March.

I am writing to urge the UK Government to do all it can to hasten progress on this issue. Progress will best be achieved via an international convention to end animal testing for all cosmetics products and ingredients worldwide, with action at UN General Assembly level.

Does the UK Government supports such an international convention and will it be proactive at the United Nations to bring this about? In particular I would urge the UK to table, actively pursue and support a resolution at the UN General Assembly to establish an ad hoc committee.

A strong UK position on this issue internationally could make a significant impact and hasten the end of animal testing for cosmetics around the world.

As this is an international issue, I also ask your assurance that the Home Office will work with the Foreign Office to ensure the issue gets taken up as effectively as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter; I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Jean Lambert MEP
Green Member of the European Parliament for London

UPDATE (15/02/18): Read the Government’s response here.

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The EU’s Cosmetics Directive has banned animal testing on cosmetic ingredients since 2009 – from today it will be unlawful to market any product tested on animals either before this time, or elsewhere in the world.

Ms Lambert said: “It’s wonderful news that the EU has listened to the views of millions of Europeans and finally banned the sale of cosmetics which have been tested on animals.

“But we must now go even further by banning the use of animals in drug research too: it’s not only cruel, it’s completely counterproductive too.

“More than 90% of all new drugs found to be safe in animals fail in human tests: and adverse reaction to drugs is the fourth biggest killer in the western world.”

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