DOWNING street today slapped down claims that animal testing for makeup will be made legal again in Britain.
For days activists feared cosmetic brands would soon be free to test products on pets.
Animal testing for makeup will NOT be made legal again, Downing Street said today
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.
Animal rights groups feared this would lead to the resumption of cruel testing in the UK.
But today a spokesperson for Rishi Sunak said this is categorically untrue.
“The public can be reassured here,” the spokesperson said.
“The ban on testing on animals for consumers will remain and there are no plans to change it.
“It is unlawful to sell products which have been tested by animals. There will be no weakening of our laws on animal testing.”
Testing makeup on animals has been banned in the UK for 25 years.
Amid fears of a policy change, Christopher Davis, director of activism and sustainability at the Body Shop, said he’d “campaign vigorously” against it.
“Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice,” Mr Davis said.
Ministers plan to publish a new chemicals strategy later this year, which will clarify further how and when animals can be used to test products in various sectors.
