Lush Cosmetics Lebanon took part yesterday, along with over 850 shops worldwide, in hosting animal parties to celebrate the final stage of the fight against animal testing. Even though it is coming into force in Europe but Lebanon is supporting trough launching a campaign in collaboration with LUSH international -to replace animal tests with more modern alternatives for all REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) testing.
In May 2012, Lush Cosmetics collected over 400,000 signatures supporting the Cosmetics Directive, legislation that makes Europe the first zone in the world where animal testing of cosmetics is banned. Yet the fight against animal testing is far from being over.
The REACH legislation was written in 2007 - and requires companies to take part in product safety testing. Companies must follow REACH guidelines for which tests should be administered for the various ingredients.
However REACH has not been updated since it was written in 2007. In the intervening years many non-animal alternatives have been developed and also some animal test refinements (these are improved protocols which mean that for each test less animals need to be used and killed). By not adding these replacement tests to the REACH testing guidelines, REACH are breaking their own stated rules - and millions of animals are dying in tests because companies cannot use the non-animal alternatives until the legislation lists them as suitable for use.
The Cosmetics Directive only covers tests that are conducted specifically for cosmetics purposes. But cosmetics ingredients are also subject to testing under the new REACH chemical legislation - and animals are going to be used in huge numbers to conduct this safety testing. So animals are still at risk and still need our help.
Lina Tannir, vice chairman at Lush - Lebanon commented on the activity
"Here at Lush we are overjoyed to be able to support the fight against testing on animals. It is a very important cause that portrays the vision of our brand. Now we know that public pressure can work so we will use that power again to help more animals.'
She added, "Today we are all taking the time to party and celebrate the power of the people in bringing change for those who cannot speak up for themselves. But from tomorrow it's time to get angry again that not enough is being done to protect millions of animals from unnecessary tests."
As such Lush Lebanon will continue raising awareness in Lebanon about the detrimental effects of animal testing through more campaigns that will be organized in the coming few months.
