unilever calls for a worldwide animal testing ban on cosmetics
Manufacturing giant Unilever is calling for a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics as part of a collaboration with animal protection group Humane Society International (HSI).
Even though testing of beauty products was banned in the EU in 2013, research from Cruelty Free International suggests that at least 115 million animals are still used in experiments worldwide each year.
Unilever owns over 400 brands in the categories of Foods, Refreshments, Home Care, and Beauty & Personal Care.
Unilever also revealed that Dove, one of its most successful brands, has now gained cruelty-free status after receiving accreditation from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
A Unilever spokesman said:” We’re hopeful that if companies, NGOs and governments work together, we’ll soon be able to assess the safety of all cosmetics without any need for animal testing anywhere in the world.”
The news comes after the state of California announced in September that it would be banning the sale of cosmetic products that have been tested on animals as of 2020.
Animal testing typically involves a series of scientific experiments that are thought to cause live animals pain, distress and lasting harm.
Scientists use it as a way of assessing the effectiveness of medicinal and/or cosmetic products.
According to Cruelty Free International, common experiments include: exposing animals to radiation, forcing them to inhale toxic gases and injecting or force feeding them with potentially harmful substances. Often, animals used for testing are killed at the end of the experiment.
The most frequently used animals are mice, fish, rats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Some of Unilever’s best know brands are:
Ben & Jerry’s – ice cream
Marmite – yeast extract spread
With thanks to The Independant, Allure, Plant Based News, Wikipedia and Business Insider.
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