Cruelty Free International has called on the likes of celebrities such as Ricky Gervais, Pixie Geldoff, and Leona Lewis to back its recent call to the European Union to secure an international end to animal testing in the beauty industry.

The celebrities have joined more than 100 policymakers, retailers, scientists and animal experts including Dr Jane Goodall DBE, Founder the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace, to use their influence to push for a global end to ‘cosmetics animal testing and finally eliminate cruel and unnecessary animal suffering around the world.’

The call falls in line with the five-year ‘Banniversary’, from when the EU outlawed the sale in Europe of new cosmetics tested on animals anywhere in the world.

Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said, “Five years after the full EU testing and marketing bans came into force, the time is right to go one step further. The leadership the EU has shown deserves much credit. Now it’s time to work together to deliver a global end to cosmetics animal testing and eliminate cruel and unnecessary animal suffering around the world. We are calling for the European Union to use its influence to push for this.”

Jessie Macneil-Brown, Head of Global Campaigns at The Body Shop, continued, “The Body Shop is proud of the part we have played in changing animal testing laws and our campaign with Cruelty Free International for a UN global ban on animal testing for cosmetics products and ingredients.
“Animal tests for cosmetics are completely unnecessary, cruel, expensive and unreliable. Enough is enough – we urge the EU to step up and help achieve a global ban to end this once and for all.”