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

The European Parliament adopted the report by Dagmar ROTH-BERENDT (PES, Germany) and inserted a large number of amendments in the directive on cosmetics products. (Please refer to the document dated 23/05/02.) Parliament stipulated that animal testing conducted after the complete ban will not preclude the marketing of cosmetic products or ingredients already in use within the Community if such testing was not conducted by or on behalf of the manufacturer, his agent or suppliers. There are provisions for a manufacturer or competent authority to apply for a derogation form the ban in exceptional circumstances, where serious concerns arise with regard to the safety of an existing cosmetic ingredient, but which do not necessitate a precautionary immediate withdrawal from use. The derogation will only be granted if: -the ingredient is in wide use and cannot be substituted by another ingredient able to perform a similar function. -the specific human health problem is explained and the need to conduct animal tests is justified, supported by a detailed research protocol. -the results of the research are made publicly available.�