Labour MEP Miriam Dalli, coordinator on the ENVI committee on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, is leading the drafting of a resolution on the importance of a global ban against the animal testing for cosmetics.

Now that the European Union has proven to the world that the phasing out of animal testing is possible, the next step is to take the ban global, a statement issued by Dalli through the Labour Party said.

An ever-increasing number of citizens and NGOs are concerned by the use of animal testing worldwide. The European Unionʾs full ban on animal testing and marketing of cosmetic products brought impressive results.

It also achieved positive outcomes for the industry.

“Europe has a thriving and innovative cosmetics sector, and research efforts on alternative methods have achieved impressive results,” Dalli said, as she addressed the EP committee on the environment ahead of a vote to push for a resolution encouraging the EU to promote a global ban.

“The EU has sent a strong to the world and successfully shown that the phasing-out of animal testing for cosmetics was possible.”

The ENVI committee is engaging with both the European Council and the European Commission in pushing for decisive action to spearhead an international agreement to bring to a definitive end cosmetics animal testing globally, based on the model of the EUʾs Cosmetics Regulation.

“Modern science can be based on innovative non-animal technologies and alternatives. This is the message we wish to deliver at global level. We need the support and actions of the Commission and the Council. Therefore, in this resolution, we ask them to promote a global ban on animal testing for cosmetics,” Dalli added.

Moreover, the MEPs will be calling on the Council and Commission to explain how an enforcement of a global ban does not conflict with trade agreement and World Trade Organisation rules.

The Labour MEP has argued that replacing animal testing does not mean putting human patients at risk: “It also doesn´t mean stopping the development of new products. Instead, replacing animal testing can, and will, improve quality.”

The resolution being coordinated by Miriam Dalli will be voted upon in the March plenary session, following the debate with both the European Council and the European Commission.

Despite some notable legislative advances, around 80% of the worldʾs countries still allow animal testing and the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals.