Cosmetic products: animal experiments (7th amend. to "Cosmetics Directive" 76/768/EEC)

The Commission amended its original proposal following the first reading of the Directive in the European Parliament. A number of changes have been made to the initial recitals taking into account Parliamentary views. Other cherished Parliamentary amendments have been rejected outright. Many of the amendments accepted in part or in principle by the Commission included, inter alia, the following: - The Commission has accepted that a budget of EUR 17.5 million from the new framework programme for research and innovation in Europe over the period 2003-2006 should be allocated to the reduction, refinement and replacement of animal tests for cosmetic products. - The Commission has accepted in principle that the SCCNFP should offer guidance on the safety of products intended for children. Similarly, the Commission has agreed that there should be a specific assessment for cosmetic products intended exclusively for use on children under the age of three and for cosmetic products intended exclusively for use in intimate hygiene. - On the question of minimum durability of cosmetic products, the Commission has agreed to include a recital which obliges producers to improve information on a products durability. - In a similar vein the Commission accepts those amendments requiring more information on the presence in cosmetic products of fragrant ingredients with well-recognised potential to cause contact allergy. At the same time however, the Commission has rejected an amendment, which would have obliged a full listing of ingredients, including those for perfume composition. The Commission deems such measures disproportionate to the risks involved. - An amendment calling for regular reporting on the implementation of the Directive has been agreed to, with the Commission announcing that reports will be prepared every three years. A number of key amendments have been rejected outright by the Commission. They include, amongst others: - Amendments seeking the presentation of further Commission proposals. - On the matter of making claims that some cosmetic products are free from animal testing, the Commission notes that such claims could be misleading. Tests have necessarily been performed on almost every ingredient at least by someone. - Concerning the issue of an EU marketing ban as and when alternatives are available, the Commission is unable to accept this amendment since it is in breach of the EU's WTO obligations/commitments. To reassure the Parliament on this point the Commission has pledged to raise the matter of animal testing on cosmetic products at multi-lateral forums in the future. - Amendments making the labelling of "tested on animals" and the listing of data on animal tests on the final product obligatory have similarly been rejected by the Commission.�