Testing Cosmetics on Animals: An Idea Who's Time Has Gone

Abstract

Despite tremendous progress in reducing animal testing in the assessment the safety of cosmetic products, it persists and there is no definitive end in sight. The reasons for this are not entirely clear because the major constituents, consumers, animal rights activists, and the corporations engaged in the testing all seem to want it to end. While the government still requires animal testing for drugs and other consumer products, there is no explicit requirement for the animal testing of cosmetics. The time is ripe for these constituencies to join forces and push for an outright ban on the testing of cosmetics on animals.