Chapter I

Introduction
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Everyone wants cosmetics and toiletries, which are used by millions of people worldwide, to be safe. But opinion differs radically on how this should be achieved.
Some people think that animals such as rats, mice, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters should undergo distressing, painful and sometimes lethal testing, in the expectation that the results will be applicable to humans. However, the majority of people – in France and in other European countries – are opposed to causing animals to suffer in this way for what are, in essence, trivial and luxury products.
OneVoice is opposed to the testing of cosmetics ingredients or products on animals. Tests on other species of animals in artificial laboratory conditions do not provide results that can be applied with confidence to the human situation. Animals should not be made to suffer in the name of vanity. Non-animal testing methods based on better science can be developed; some have already been perfected and are being used to replace animal tests. Until the full range of humane testing methods is available, there are more than 8 000 existing cosmetic ingredients, considered safe for humans, which companies can use to develop novel products.
This Report tackles the issues involved in cosmetics testing, in France and in the European arena. Chapter 2 sets out the views of the public on animal testing, based on several opinion polls. Chapter 3 explains the European legislation which is relevant to cosmetics testing, including the 2003 changes to the Cosmetics Directive, and introduces the key organisations involved. In Chapter 4, the animal tests themselves are described; the impact on the animals is explained, and the methods are analysed in terms of their scientific value.
Chapter 5 takes readers beyond animal testing and looks at the alternative, non-animal tests which are available. It explains what research needs to be done in order to develop further non-animal methods. Issues of global trade agreements are also tackled. In Chapter 6, there is a resumé of the situation in France: the main cosmetics companies and the statistics of animal tests conducted in France for cosmetics and toiletries.

Finally, in Chapter 7 OneVoice presents its conclusions and recommendations for action.