Animal welfare charity Humane Society International has published a white paper outlining a proposal to revise the EU chemicals regulation REACH, aiming to modernise the framework and drive uptake of non-animal testing methods.
Animal testing was the 20th-century answer to product safety issues, and as the 21st-century cosmetics industry turns away from it some replacements are still up in the air.
Unilever-owned international beauty brand Dove is making a final push to inspire more European consumers to align on protecting the EU’s ban on animal testing in cosmetics.
There are strong opportunities to widen use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) for chemical risk assessments on worker safety and environmental impact of cosmetics, though regulatory acceptance will require a collaborative industry-research push, say...
The trade association Cosmetics Europe and scientists from Beiersdorf, L’Oréal, Procter & Gamble and Unilever have published a study outlining a framework on using read-across as part of a next-generation method to conduct cosmetics safety assessments.
The publication of defined approaches to in silico skin sensitisation chemical assessment is a landmark moment for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with significant implications for an animal-free future, say agency leaders.
The Long Read: In Conversation with Unilever Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC) executives
The beauty industry continues to be stuck between conflicting requirements on animal testing, with bans under the EU Cosmetics Regulation and new data calls under the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) REACH Regulation, and the scientific community is...
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published advice on how industry can reliably combine non-animal data from different sources to assess skin sensitisation of chemicals in the EU, using the new Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from September 2021 shows interest in world beauty leaders creating a consortium to co-develop an environmental impact and scoring system, a new probiotic powder targeting psoriasis via the gut-skin...
A complete shift in the safety assessment of chemicals will be necessary if the EU is to uphold its ‘animal testing as a last resort’ policy under the European Chemicals Agency’s REACH regulation – a critical aspect to maintaining the wider cosmetics...
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have adopted a resolution vote calling on the European Commission to establish an EU-wide action plan to actively phase out animal experiments – a move that adds weight to the cosmetics industry’s fight to protect...
Industry must continue raising its concerns around the interface between ECHA and the Cosmetics Regulation on animal testing because there are issues that need to be debated and solutions found, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
The Body Shop and Dove combining their scale and size brings a collective power to push forward calls to protect the EU’s existing animal testing ban on cosmetics, company executives say.
A study has identified a number of EU cosmetic ingredients tested on animals since the Cosmetics Regulation ban; data largely collected to prove worker and environmental safety under REACH or because alternative testing methods were rejected, researchers...
An animal-free testing strategy for predicting skin sensitisation and allergen potency co-developed by chemistry major BASF and fragrance and flavour specialist Givaudan has been approved by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),...
In-Depth Insight from Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference (CEAC) 2021
A five-year, industry-led global programme will launch next year aimed at driving and shaping future worldwide uptake and regulatory acceptance of non-animal testing alternatives in cosmetics.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from May 2021 shows interest in the fragrance potential of essential oils, Unilever’s patent-pending vegan replacement for carmine red and research from Beiersdorf and Norway dismissing digital blue...
The UK government has worked alongside the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) and wider beauty industry to digitally issue Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificates that should enable the export of ‘ordinary’ goods to China without...
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from March 2021 shows interest in Colgate-Palmolive’s design-led innovation strategy, Garnier’s Leaping Bunny certification and L’Oréal and Typology’s green beauty objectives.
Naturalness is the most important aspect of a beauty product for consumers in Germany and France, but there are mixed views on what the term means and how it translates into cosmetics, finds natural and organic certifier Natrue.
L’Oréal’s Garnier brand has received Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny approval on its entire global portfolio after months of work with its vast supplier network – a move that proves exactly what is possible on a mass beauty scale, says the...
Imported ‘ordinary’ cosmetics will not be required to undergo animal testing from May 1 this year, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has confirmed in its finalised regulations.
The move by France to provide a government platform enabling beauty manufacturers to qualify for exemptions when exporting general-use cosmetics to China should carve out a path for other countries to follow, says a Procter & Gamble executive.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from January 2021 shows interest in blue light protection ingredients, a move from France to bypass China animal testing and market challenges around growth in the wake of COVID-19.
France has become the first EU country to qualify for exemptions on animal testing for general-use cosmetics exported to China after its National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) developed a dedicated platform enabling manufacturers...
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from December 2020 shows interest in trend predictions and reflections, industry noise on EU animal testing regulations and microbiota-targeted innovation from Unilever.
A coordinated approach amongst European Union policy makers that considers research, method and validation is needed for non-animal alternative cosmetic testing to fully replace animal data, says the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
The European Commission (EC) stands by its endorsement of calls made by the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Board of Appeal for animal data to verify worker safety of two cosmetic ingredients, despite a recent industry-signed open letter damning such...
The cosmetics industry has heavily invested in advancing non-animal safety testing methods, now efforts must turn to driving regulatory acceptance of these next-generation alternatives, says the founder of animal-free testing lab XCellR8.
Procter & Gamble, Unilever, L’Oréal and Avon are among signatories of an open statement claiming the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and its Board of Appeal is undermining the EU animal testing ban on cosmetics - a claim the agency refutes.
Australian natural beauty brand Subtle Energies is optimistic that with changing regulations it will be able to expand its business and tap into the emerging trends in China.
Vegan was the third most popular product claim made across online global cosmetics last year, carved out by niche independent beauty brands. And the claim will continue its rise as mass beauty takes it on, says Euromonitor International.
The Institute for In Vitro Sciences Inc (IIVS) believes the support from domestic cosmetic companies can help to further its cause to implement non-animal testing methods in China.
Non-animal tests on chemical substances continue to be widely used in the EU, with read-across studies most popular and in vitro methods gaining traction, according to the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) latest report.
Cosmetics Consultants Europe (CCE) and Germany’s RWTH International Academy are launching a cosmetic product safety assessment training course next month covering a range of topics including EU regulation, toxicology and animal testing.
Sustainable packaging innovation, analysis on animal testing bans across the world, and news of the multibillion Nestlé Skin Health sale and rebrand were just some of our most read stories last year.
The European Union must invest more in next-generation, non-animal chemical safety assessments to achieve its European Green Deal goals, and there are opportunities in in silico methods, says Cruelty Free Europe.
Shifting shopper habits, evolving consumer curiosity and legal changes will shape the European, Middle East & African beauty market next year – here are our Top 5 EMEA trends to watch.
One of the hottest trends in the beauty industry right now is the rise of the conscious consumer, an area a new study market intelligence provider PreScouter has focused on.
Animal-free testing lab XCellR8 has validated an in vitro mildness predicting test it says provides a significant opportunity for the cosmetics world to move beyond outdated methods.
Medical research charity FRAME wants to gauge public and professional knowledge on animal testing in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals and hopes its survey will drive awareness on the complexity of the issue.
Clean and ethical has taken the food and nutrition world by storm, and following hot on its heels is beauty. The movement has been flourishing in cosmetics and personal care for some time now and will soar in due course, propelled by the continued and...
Next-generation in vitro safety assessments for cosmetics should see good uptake in coming years, receiving regulatory approvals and becoming industry standard within the next decade, suggests the director of science and research at Cosmetics Europe.
Demand for certified cruelty-free cosmetics has soared in recent years, and with more than 200 Leaping Bunny applications in the process with Cruelty Free International this will only continue, says its head of certification services.
Avon UK has launched its first vegan and eco-friendly skin care line ‘Distillery’ following several years of scientific research and will soon roll out the offering globally, adding make-up next year.
We caught up with the Director General of the European trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry, John Chave, on the state of the industry today, and why it is a very good time to be an industry professional in beauty.
Euromonitor International, a leading market reasearch provider, has launched its latest report into the current state of the beauty market. Here, we take a look at some of the highlights.
![The animal welfare charity hopes its REACH revision proposal drives wider uptake and acceptance of animal-free new approach methodologies (NAMs) for cosmetics safety assessment [Getty Images]](jpg/humane-society-international-reach-revision-proposal-calls-for-echa-procedural-technical-and-structural-change-2.jpg)
![The European Citizens' Initiative calling on the European Commission to protect and strengthen the existing EU animal testing ban on cosmetics closes on August 31, 2022 and Dove is calling for more EU consumers to sign [Getty Images]](jpg/animal-testing-ban-cosmetics-eu-needs-protection-via-european-citizens-initiative-says-dove-2.jpg)
![New approach methodologies (NAMs) have already been well-proven for animal-free cosmetic product and ingredient safety testing, but should now be accepted as 'scientifically robust' for testing worker safety and environmental impact [Getty Images]](jpg/animal-free-chemical-risk-assessment-for-cosmetics-possible-with-collaborative-push-say-toxicology-experts-2.jpg)
![The framework 'built on' existing methods, providing an exposure-driven and evidence-based approach for next generation risk assessment in cosmetics [Getty Images]](jpg/cruelty-free-cosmetic-safety-testing-needs-next-generation-risk-assessment-framework-say-cosmetics-europe-and-beauty-brands-2.jpg)
![The OECD's guideline on in silico defined approaches to assess skin sensitisation is being praised as a landmark achievement [Getty Images]](jpg/oecd-skin-sensitisation-defined-approaches-guideline-a-landmark-in-animal-free-future-2.jpg)
![Decades of scientific work has advanced capabilities of in vitro safety assessment of chemicals, but these methods can't be used to their full potential because regulatory frameworks still need to catch up [Getty Images]](jpg/cruelty-free-cosmetics-future-needs-regulatory-catch-up-and-collaboration-say-unilever-execs-2.jpg)
![The OECD guideline outlines defined approaches for skin sensitisation assessment using in silico (computer simulation) methods and wider application under REACH will advance use of non-animal test methods, according to ECHA [Getty Images]](jpg/echa-advice-on-oecd-non-animal-skin-sensitisation-assessment-to-help-apply-under-eu-reach-regulation-2.jpg)
![Non-animal methods (NAMs) have to be fast prioritised in EU chemicals testing under REACH and much can be learned from the US Environmental Protection Agency [Getty Images]](jpg/unilever-paper-calls-for-eu-paradigm-shift-towards-non-animal-chemicals-safety-assessment-2.jpg)
![MEPs have adopted a resolution vote that will add political pressure to the European Commission to respond, proving important for the cosmetic industry's fight to uphold its existing EU animal testing ban [Getty Images]](jpg/european-parliament-adopts-resolution-vote-for-european-commission-action-to-end-eu-animal-testing-2.jpg)
![Cosmetics Europe has backed the recent European Citizens' Initiative led by Dove and The Body Shop calling on further protection of the EU animal testing ban on cosmetics and will continue to directly engage with EU policy makers on the issue [Getty Images]](jpg/eu-animal-testing-cosmetics-ban-concerns-needs-high-level-policy-dialogue-says-cosmetics-europe-2.jpg)
![The Body Shop and Dove want their partnership and work with animal protection groups to inspire other beauty brands to collaborate on the issue [Getty Images]](jpg/dove-and-the-body-shop-talk-animal-testing-ban-eu-campaign-and-importance-of-collaboration-2.jpg)
![Since the 2013 EU Cosmetic Regulation ban on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients and cosmetic products, researchers found 63 REACH dossiers for cosmetic-only ingredients still conducted in vivo testing [Getty Images]](jpg/animal-testing-conflict-between-eu-cosmetic-regulation-and-echa-s-reach-regulation-says-study-2.jpg)
![The approved approach involves a three-step method for assessing skin sensitisation and a bolt-on test to predict allergen potency [Getty Images]](jpg/animal-free-testing-for-skin-sensitisation-allergen-potency-from-basf-and-givaudan-receives-oecd-approval-2.jpg)
![The New Science Programme will be coordinated by a central advisory board and aims to drive forward non-animal safety assessment capabilities, regulatory use of these alternatives, and education and training across industry [Getty Images]](jpg/cosmetics-industry-unveils-animal-free-safety-assessment-new-science-programme-set-to-launch-2023.jpg)
![Imported ‘ordinary’ cosmetics will not be required to undergo animal testing in China from May 1. [Getty Images]](jpg/china-animal-testing-exemptions-for-testing-on-ordinary-cosmetics-start-in-may-officials-2.jpg)
![Colgate-Palmolive continues to carefully navigate restricted uses on certain ingredients and is working hard to cater to all lifestyles across budgets, expectations and uses [Getty Images]](jpg/colgate-palmolive-exec-talks-future-trends-in-teeth-whitening-market-worldwide-2.jpg)
![The World Economic Forum's 53rd annual meeting this month will bring together business leaders, governments and innovators from all over the globe to discuss the most pressing issues of the year [Getty Images]](jpg/beauty-kitchen-founder-jo-chidley-attending-world-economic-forum-davos-2023-to-talk-about-scaling-reuse-2.jpg)
![Continuing to develop 'products for everyone' in beauty, irrespective of social class, ethnicity or ability, but also make industry accessible for all as a career, will be key in 2023 [Getty Images]](jpg/cosmetic-toiletry-and-perfumery-association-ctpa-says-inclusivity-to-remain-key-for-beauty-in-2024.jpg)
![Scope 3 carbon emissions are those indirectly related to a company, such as those linked to consumers and their interaction with a product or those associated with suppliers [Getty Images]](jpg/weleda-focused-on-scope-3-carbon-emission-reduction-after-climate-neutral-certification-2.jpg)
![Researchers should be careful not to over-emphasise Euro-centric data, remembering that Africa has the highest level of genetic diversity in the world [Getty Images]](jpg/dermatology-professor-discusses-skin-pigmentation-research-hurdles-and-opportunities-at-ifscc-2023.jpg)
![Underboob sweat, pimple popping, shaved heads and sexual health are just some of the topics consumers are diving into head-first this year as traditional beauty ideals unravel [Getty Images]](jpg/wgsn-beauty-trends-2023-highlights-unsexy-beauty-as-movement-to-watch-adding-to-mintel-nielseniq-and-verve-2.jpg)
![The 3D-printed, seven-layered gummies could be customized to specific skin care goals and needs [Image: Nourished/Neutrogena]](jpg/neutrogena-talks-nourished-skinstacks-supplement-launch-at-ces-2026.jpg)
![The five companies have been recognised for their environmental leadership across climate change, forests and water scarcity - a status only 12 global companies achieved in 2022 [Getty Images]](jpg/cdp-a-list-2022-features-beiersdorf-firmenich-kao-l-oreal-and-lvmh-as-triple-a-scores-for-environmental-leadership-2.jpg)
![The refill station has been designed for easy consumer use via a digital interface for blending and refilling in-store [Getty Images]](jpg/coty-files-international-patent-on-fragrance-refill-station-for-simple-in-store-refilling-2.jpg)