In the press release of the European Commission the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, Tonio Borg said, that the entry into force today of the full marketing ban is an important signal for the importance that Europe attaches to animal welfare. The Commission is committed to supporting the development of alternative test methods furthermore. The third countries are invited to connect the european aproach. And further he said: "This is a great opportunity for Europe to set an example for responsible innovation in the field of cosmetics without endangering consumer  safety."

Already in 1993, the last sixth Amendment to the Cosmetics Regulation prohibits the marketing of cosmetics products tested on animals. It should enter into force in 1998, but only if adequate substitutes to animal testing methods had been available. Finally, it has been postponed twice. 2003 then the 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Regulation came in force, providing for a ban on finished cosmetic, from raw materials and components from September 2004. In 2009, a sales ban of ingredients went into effect, but there were a few exceptions: The sales ban did not apply to products that have been tested on more complex side effects, such as whether agents with prolonged use is harmful, affect reproduction or make the skin more sensitive. That period for the exceptions has now expired.

For substances which are used in other areas such as industry, the chemicals legislation has to be used, which even prescribes animal experiments.

Source: http://www.fnp.de/