The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) launched last week to ensure animal-free methods are accepted and used by everyone involved in cosmetics safety testing
The UK is a pioneer in its stance on animal-free beauty, having introduced legislation back in 1998. What’s more, Britain played a key role in the introduction of EU legislation which saw the prohibition on animal testing for finished products in 2004, on testing of ingredients in 2009, and a marketing ban in 2013. However, these measures have not been adopted globally, with other territories falling behind.Â
To tackle this issue and set key global benchmarks, more than 35 beauty brands, cosmetics manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations, and animal protection organisations have collaborated to form the ICCS.Â
The group has three key aims:Â
- To evaluate and further develop animal-free safety assessment approaches and demonstrate their scientific validity for human health and environmental protection.
- To share the results of these evaluation activities with regulators to inform ongoing regulatory acceptance discussions around the world.
- To provide education and training materials to accelerate widespread adoption of the latest animal-free beauty science.
From Chanel and L’Oréal to Cosmetics Europe and the PCPC, the alliance will ensure that animal-free beauty testing can be adopted and scaled globally. This will close this gap between regulators and brands by understanding the needs of both parties and innovating in tandem to create animal-free approaches.Â
‘We have seen significant scientific advancements in the development, evaluation and use of animal-free methods for safety assessment in recent decades,’ explained Erin Hill, president and CEO of ICCS.
‘ICCS brings together scientists from leading organisations around the world to continue this momentum and work toward our shared ambition for a future where no ingredients or products are tested on animals. ICCS is a global collaboration focused on animal-free safety science for cosmetics and ingredients, which currently face unique challenges and inconsistent global regulations.
‘I am honoured to lead the organisation at such an important time.’
The British Beauty Council stands firmly against animal testing in the pursuit of beauty and continues to push to maintain the reputation of the UK beauty industry as a leader in scientific alternatives to animal testing.
In the Sustainable Beauty Coalition’s Planet Positive Beauty Guide, it reads: ‘Until alternatives to animal testing become globally accepted and implemented worldwide, you need to be vigilant. Supporting companies who have clear stances against animal testing or campaign actively against it is a good start. Also, look out for products that are Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny approved.’
