The Ethical Consumer
Animal Testing
Animal Testing
The term means that some animal species are used for
specific scientific or research purposes, carried out both in
the cosmetics industry and in other branches, such as the
pharmaceutical, medical, biochemical and chemical
industries.
The animals are generally used to test and evaluate the
effect of different preparations (creams, gels, perfumes,
soaps, shampoos, etc.) on the skin and mucous membranes
of animals, and the likelihood of allergic reactions, illnesses
and other conditions following contact with a cosmetic.
During laboratory experiments, those animals are
immobilized or kept in cages, causing discomfort, stress
and even chronic illness and death.
Consumerism and Animal Testing
In recent years, very high standards of beauty have been cultivated throughout
society, often by the cosmetics brands themselves, in order to increase the
consumerism of their products.
The cosmetics industry is one of the most significant when it comes to laboratory
tests on animals since, according to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals), companies continue to test on animals in order to have data with
which they can defend themselves in the event that an injured consumer tries to
sue the brand. And since the results of these tests are unreliable (it's impossible
to predict whether the results in animals will be the same in humans), this allows
companies to put practically any product on the market.
There are some examples of well-known brands that laboratory test on animals,
such as Fendi, Dior, L’Oréal, etc.
Why are we still testing on animals?
In 2013, the European Union banned cosmetics testing on
animals, but there are still many loopholes in the law, as well
as local policies outside the European Union. As a result, many
brands that claim to be cruelty free are actually not 100%
cruelty free. Take, for example, brands that want to sell in
China and therefore have to comply with local laws.
In other words, they may not test on animals in Europe, but
they have to comply with Chinese legislation that requires
these tests. So, the tests aren't technically conducted by the
brands - because they're done in Chinese laboratories where,
every year, more than 300,000 animals are used in tests - but
the companies authorize them and pay them to be able to sell.
Brands with the PETA seal
The PETA label is a label that identifies all brands whose CEOs have
signed the assurance statement verifying that they and their
ingredient suppliers do not conduct, commission, pay for or permit
any animal testing for ingredients, formulas or finished products
anywhere in the world and will not do so in the future.
This list includes companies that make cosmetics, personal-care
products, household-cleaning products, and other common
household products.
The Body Shop and Urban Decay are a good example of brands sold
in Portugal with the PETA seal. The brands refuse to test on
animals and therefore don't open stores in China. They sell less, of
course, but they maintain their cruelty-free philosophy.
Sources
https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/why-do-companies-continue-to-test-products-on-animals/
https://www.products.pcc.eu/pt/blog/testes-em-animais-na-industria-cosmetica-o-que-voce-deve-saber/
