Animal abuse in the cosmetics industry
Animal testing for cosmetic purposes is prohibited in Switzerland. Nevertheless, you could be supporting animal suffering with your purchases in this country. An expert explains how this happens and how you can avoid it.
The images of animal testing you'll see when visiting the website of animal rights group PETA aren't easy to digest, that much is clear. However, I didn't expect that I'd still be horrified by this «Gallery of Horrors» even days after viewing it. Images that come to mind when I look into my cabinet mirror, when I sit at my make-up table and when I shop for beauty products online – and rightly so. According to Anne Meinert, biologist and expert for animal experiments with PETA Germany, hundreds of thousands of animals are abused for experimental purposes related to the cosmetics industry worldwide every year. Toxicity tests, for example. These are operations or treatments that cause pain, suffering and damage to the animal, even death.
Mice and rats make up the majority of abused animals. Since they're small, they can be easily squeezed into tight cages. They also produce a lot of offspring in a short time span. «But rabbits, dogs, cats, monkeys and other animals are also tormented in experiments. If the animals don't die during these experiments, they're usually killed in the end. As soon as they're not 'useful' anymore,» says Meinert.
China kicks it off, manufacturers follow suit
In Switzerland, the sale of cosmetic products that have been tested on animals is prohibited. «However, animal tests can be ordered under the Swiss Chemicals Ordinance for ingredients that aren't used exclusively in cosmetic products,» Meinert explains.
Another loophole is exporting to China. There, the government requires animal testing for a large part of the products available on the market. Brands seeking approval for the Chinese market must first test their products on animals. So it's definitely possible for mascara sold in this country to cause animal suffering somewhere else. «The legal requirements for the Chinese market are very complex. Fortunately, there have been some changes in favour of animal-free test methods in recent years. There are plans for an amendment which will no longer require animal testing for the import of certain cosmetics. Unfortunately, the decision on the regulation has been postponed due to the Corona pandemic,» Meinert said about the current situation.
«Animal tests are intended to prove the safety of products and ingredients – in most cases, results from animal tests cannot predict the result in humans. There are numerous animal-free test methods that aren't only ethically sound but also more reliable and produce results that are relevant to humans». For example, instead of rubbing potentially irritating substances into the eye of a rabbit, one could test them on modern tissue cultures with human cells. But why is animal testing still done at all? «A paradigm shift from animal experiments to animal-free methods is slowed down by, among other things, a lack of funding, lengthy recognition processes and a lack of legal requirements,» the expert explains.
What to look out for
Any consumer wanting to avoid animal suffering will quickly lose track of the numerous seals of approval. For example, products certified as «vegan» don't automatically exclude animal testing. According to experts, the term «vegan» isn't legally protected. If you want to make sure that your cosmetics are vegan and animal-free, you can use PETA's «cruelty-free + vegan» tag or have a look at the list on Kosmetik-ohne-Tierversuche.de. These companies have given written assurances that they won't conduct, commission or finance any animal testing worldwide. This also includes the individual ingredients of their suppliers. Vegan brands are additionally labelled on the list. You'll also find a comparison of different labels here. Alternatively, you can select Switzerland on the US list of animal-free cosmetics under «Cruelty-free Product Availabilty by Country». On this List for German Brands and Companies, you'll also find manufacturers, some of whom sell their products in Switzerland as well.
Many ingredients used today were tested in animal experiments decades ago. A company that uses a previously tested ingredient can be considered animal-free if it neither conducts nor commissions new animal tests – even for ingredients used in other areas. In addition, it must not accept animal testing, as is the case with exports to mainland China, for example.
«We cannot undo the animal abuse of the past – but we can work to ensure that more and more companies decide against animal experiments and in favour of a policy free of animal experiments, despite the incomplete legal situation.»
Update 2 November 2020: our filter system allows you to search for animal-free cosmetics. Simply click on the desired product type in the left navigation of our beauty range (for example Body care and then Deodorant) and select the filter option «Without animal testing».
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Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
