(a) whether the Government are aware that the European Union has banned cosmetic testing on animals;
(b) if so, whether the Government propose to ban the same in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) whether the Government are aware that the European Union has banned cosmetic testing on animals;
(b) if so, whether the Government propose to ban the same in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) According to ICMR, no specific information is available regarding banning of use of animals in the toxicity testing of cosmetics in animals by the European Union. However, there is news item indicating that European Parliament has agreed to ban the use of animals for cosmetic testing by 2009.
(b) to (d) As non-animal alternatives for testing of cosmetics on animals has not yet been fully accepted by other regulatory agencies like European Union or US FDA, banning animal testing cannot be resorted to at the current level of knowledge.