PETA Takes On L’Oreal, Procter & Gamble, Others Over Animal Testing

The Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association and Its Members Urged to Support, Not Obstruct, Progress to End Animal Tests

For Immediate Release:
September 9, 2014

Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382

Today, PETA—in conjunction with PETA India—launched an online campaign aimed at the Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA) and its small group of members—which largely includes U.S. and European brands such as L’Oréal, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever—to urge them to support India’s existing ban on testing cosmetics and their ingredients on animals as well as the country’s proposed ban on the import of animal-tested cosmetics.

PETA launched the initiative following numerous high-level meetings in which the IBHA and some of its members made it clear that although their websites speak out against animal testing, they’re in favor of weakening the law so that they can continue to conduct animal tests in India and import animal-tested cosmetics into the country.

Animal tests for cosmetics were banned in India on May 21, 2014, and a ban on the import of animal-tested cosmetics is pending. If the sales ban is passed, India’s laws will be in line with those of the European Unionand Israel, which have already banned animal tests and the marketing and sale of animal-tested cosmetics. Many IBHA members are European and aren’t permitted to test on animals for cosmetics in their own countries. Tests on animals for cosmetics aren’t required in the U.S.

Other IBHA members include Chanel, ELCA Cosmetics (a subsidiary of Estée Lauder), Johnson & Johnson, NIVEA, Avon, and Shiseido, among others. In contrast, more than 1,500 companies around the world—including LUSH and The Body Shop—refuse to test their products on animals.

“The Indian government carefully considered and implemented the ban on force-feeding and skin irritation tests, yet a handful of Western companies are now trying to turn back this progress,” says PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo. “PETA is calling on companies that market their products in India to modernize and to support—not obstruct—India’s efforts to stop cruel animal testing for cosmetics.”

During tests for cosmetics, harsh chemicals may be dripped into animals’ eyes, smeared onto their abraded skin, or forced down their throats.

Please read more about this at PETA India.