Firms cannot use safety data derived from third-country animal testing to substantiate product safety in accordance with the European Cosmetics Regulation, but such testing does not in itself constitute a violation of the EU’s animal-testing ban. It may be more challenging to compile required safety-assessment reports, but companies don’t necessarily have to choose between the EU and emerging markets such as China.
The European Union’s highest court has decided that cosmetic products marketed in the European Union can contain ingredients tested on animals to meet third-country regulatory requirements, but that data cannot be used to substantiate safety as required by the European Cosmetics Regulation.
Overall, this is good news for industry. Questions have been raised as to whether the EU’s cosmetic animal-testing ban is...