Dear Readers:

I wanted to let you know that Alicia Silverstone has joined the efforts to protect the European Union’s ban on animal-tested cosmetics. As I mentioned in my previous e-mail, the EU’s 2013 deadline to ban cosmetics tested on animals is in jeopardy.

Silverstone just joined True Blood star Krisin Bauer in asking the European Commission to keep the EU on the path to cruelty-free cosmetics. Join these celebrities in taking action!

"I’m a new mother, so I’m concerned about the safety of the personal care products that I use for both myself and my child," wrote Silverstone in her letter to Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli. "Cosmetics products like baby shampoo must be safe and free of toxic chemicals—but postponing this deadline will not help accomplish that goal."

 Write your own letter to Commissioner Dalli using our simple online form.

In 2003, the EU agreed to phase out animal testing of cosmetics. As of March 11, 2009, companies could no longer use animals to test cosmetics ingredients on EU soil. Companies were also prohibited from marketing products that had been tested on animals elsewhere, for most types of toxicity testing. The remaining types of tests are not to be banned until March 2013, providing additional time to develop nonanimal methods.

These deadlines have motivated companies not just in the EU, but worldwide, to make significant progress in developing many new nonanimal test methods.

But now, European officials are considering delaying the ban. If the commission delays the ban, thousands of guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and mice will continue to be used and killed just to bring the latest scent of shampoo or antiwrinkle skin cream “breakthrough” to store shelves.

You can help. Ask Commissioner Dalli to keep the EU on track to ban animal-tested cosmetics in 2013.

Thank you so much for your help.

Thank you so much for your help.

Sincerely,

Nancy Beck, Ph.D.
Scientific and Policy Adviser