Key words: alternative methods, safety assessment of cosmetic products


The European Commission imposed transition periods on the cosmetic industry. After their expiration, a complete ban of animal testing of cosmetic products and their ingredients will be in force for the member states of the European Union. On 11th March of this year a new ban went into force – a ban on animal testing of cosmetic ingredients. The prohibition of animal testing remains one of the most controversial topics for the cosmetic industry. The legal regulations regarding animal testing and the safety assessment of cosmetic products and chemical substances are ambiguous and difficult to interpret. Despite many research programmes conducted in the European Union’s laboratories, alternative methods for most toxicological parameters have not yet been approved. The article quoted below presents alternative methods which are useful in the safety assessment of cosmetic ingredients and finished cosmetic products.