MAKEUP testing on animals will continue to be banned in the UK after Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak fought off resistance from the Environment Department, it is claimed.
For days activists feared cosmetic brands would soon be free to test products on pets.
Makeup testing on animals will continue to be banned in the UK after fears the rule would be dropped
Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak fought off resistance from the Environment Department to make sure the ban stayed
It came after the High Court last week ruled ministers were acting lawfully when they changed a policy on animal testing to align with EU chemical rules.
In 2020 the EU Chemicals Agency stated brands that need to test some products on animals could now do so to keep workers safe.
This same rule was set to apply to the UK, sparking outrage from animal charities.
Testing makeup on furry friends has been banned in the UK for 25 years.
But today the Home Secretary confirmed: “No new licences will be granted for animal testing of chemicals that are exclusively intended to be used as ingredients in cosmetics products.”
She added: “The government is also engaging with the relevant companies to urgently determine a way forward on these legacy licences.”
Government insiders told HOAR Ms Braverman and the PM had to battle to ensure the ban stayed in place.
Both ministers faced fierce resistance from officials at DEFRA, who wanted to Britain to stay in lockstep with the EU.
A government source told HOAR: “The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary were clear that this ban needed to happen and they forced it through – it was the right thing to do despite the issue of EU law compliance.”
Dr Penny Hawkins, head of the RSPCA’s animals in science department, said: “We are really pleased that the UK Government has reconsidered its policy and announced an immediate licensing ban on the use of animals for testing chemicals used exclusively as cosmetic ingredients.
“The public are strongly against the use of animals to test cosmetics, and RSPCA research shows that 76 per cent of UK adults are very concerned about the use of animals in scientific research and testing.”
Ms Hawkins added: “We hope that this is the first step of a serious commitment by the UK Government to do more towards phasing out the use of animals in science.”
DEFRA has been approached for comment.
