The UK government has given the green light for make-up to be tested on animals following a High Court ruling that determined it was acting legally in allowing testing. The case was brought forth by animal rights activists from Cruelty Free International (CFI), who argued that this decision violated the existing ban on animal testing. In 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) ruled that companies must test certain cosmetic ingredients on animals to ensure worker safety during manufacturing.
Major beauty and cosmetic brands such as Unilever, Body Shop, and Boots condemned the verdict. CFI called it "outrageous" that the government had effectively lifted the ban on animal testing. Homosalate, a common sunscreen ingredient found in various foundations and skincare products, is among those potentially subject to animal testing.
The UK High Court recently dismissed a challenge by CFI against the Home Office over allegations of secretly abandoning an established ban on cosmetic product ingredient tests involving animals. The Home Office refuted these accusations as "plainly wrong" and maintained they had not acted unlawfully.
The judge presiding over this case rejected CFI's arguments stating there was no public announcement of policy change; however he did acknowledge concerns about "inaccurate" operational guidance available online. Ultimately concluding that under "limited circumstances," when there were no other alternative methods available to meet chemical-related regulations requirements – animal testing remains lawful in the United Kingdom without conflicting with existing bans.
Despite these setbacks, Cruelty Free International expressed its intention to appeal this judgment while continuing their fight against what they deem unjust treatment of animals for cosmetics production purposes.