No cosmetics for animals

Animal testing for cosmetics continues in India as rabbits mice and guinea pigs endure cosmetic chemicals being dropped into their eyes even as it spreads on their sensitive skin Other methods include forcefeeding it to them in massive doses In 2009 the European Union banned cosmetic testing on animals and this year the ban will extend to the sale of any products tested on animals Humane Society International with support from animal activists including Maneka Gandhi have been pressurising the Indian government to implement this ban as per EU guidelines with their Be Cruelty Free Campaign which began last year Many cosmetics are regularly tested on animals causing them immense harm Challenges galore ldquoThrough our campaign we are working around the globe to create a world where animals no longer have to suffer We are campaigning hard to ensure that the promised European ban on selling animaltested cosmetics is enforced without delay wersquore reaching out to legislators and regulators to achieve lasting progress for animalsrdquo says Jayasimha N Director Humane Society International Maneka Gandhi who formed the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision CPCSEA in the 1990s has been campaigning for animals rights for the last 20 years ldquoI formed CPCSEA to regulate experimentation that was unchecked irrelevant and done for money So first dissection in schools was stopped then Zoology in colleges We have been working hard to stop dissection in cosmetic testing for a long timerdquo Gandhi explains adding ldquoThousands of animals are affected needlessly since all ingredients in cosmetics are already validated many times over To cite an example Till I banned it it was compulsory for injection needles to be tested on rabbits mdash this law was created when needles were made by hand over 70 years ago but no one had repealed it Similarly most testing mechanisms are outdatedrdquo Why India matters Jayasimha believes that the world is shrinking and harmonisation of laws globally is necessary ldquoIndia is a huge market for cosmetics When sale of such products is banned in Europe it may open up the market in India and Chinardquo he asserts The case has been presented to the Drug Controller with the hope that the ban is effected in India soon ldquoIt can be made effective even in a few months timerdquo he says So does the ban of such testing compromise on the safety of the product Jayasimharsquos reply is a big no mdash ldquoA long list of internationally accepted ingredients are considered safe Companies can assure the safety of their products by using ingredients with a long history of safe use with a growing number of proven nonanimal safety tests This is the approach followed by nearly 400 certified crueltyfree companies It is not a question of safety but that of changing the mindset of the inspectorrdquo he iterates Brandspeak Cosmetic brand Oriflame supports this cause Sharmili Rajput Marketing Director Oriflame India says ldquoOriflame offers natural Swedish cosmetics based on stringent quality norms These products are environmentfriendly and are not tested on animals Oriflame has also won the PETA Award for best ethical and progressive brand Respect for people and nature underlines the companyrsquos operating principles and are reflected in its social and environmental policiesrdquo MiD DAYrsquos repeated attempts over many days to connect with most Indian and International brands including LrsquoOreal Lakme and Neutrogena for their views did not meet with any successu00a0