Conducting animal testing according to REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 and Regulation (EC) 1223/2009

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Dec 12, 2023 - Cosmetics

Conducting animal testing according to REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 and Regulation (EC) 1223/2009

On December 12, 2023, the European General Court issued a landmark ruling on the relationship between the EU Cosmetics Regulation and REACH regarding animal testing. The EU Cosmetics Regulation has prohibited animal testing for cosmetics and raw materials for many years, with only a few exceptions. In contrast, REACH sometimes explicitly requires animal testing.

The case concerned a request from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to a manufacturer to conduct animal tests to assess the risks of 2-ethylhexyl salicylate. The company refused, stating that the substance is used exclusively in cosmetic products as an approved UV filter. The court decided that cosmetic ingredients can be tested on animals for REACH purposes. It emphasized that the risks to human health under both regulations are not identical. Companies can use alternative methods to avoid animal testing.

The team at the BAV Institute is available to answer any questions you may have regarding cosmetics.

Source: https://coslaw.eu/the-eu-court-rules-on-animal-testing-under-reach-for-substances-used-in-cosmetics/