Leading global cosmetics company, Avon has confirmed its commitment to supporting Replacing Animal Research’s work to develop new and alternative methods that will replace the need for laboratory animals in medical and scientific research, education and testing.

Avon has been a corporate supporter to Replacing Animal Research for 30 years and was the first major cosmetics company to end animal testing. An early pioneer, Replacing Animal Research worked with Avon to test cosmetic chemicals using in vitro techniques which allowed it to replace previously used animal tests. The two organisations have continued to partner to bring about positive change that will bring animal testing in the beauty industry to an end.

Louise Scott, Chief Scientific Officer at Avon, said: “Avon has been working with Replacing Animal Research for three decades to work towards ending the unnecessary and unacceptable practice of animal testing for cosmetics. For us, partnerships with change-agents like Replacing Animal Research are crucial as we continue to push for change. We’re proud of our long-term relationship as together we work to make a positive difference.”

Amy Beale, Senior Scientific Liaison Officer at Replacing Animal Research said: “We are very grateful for the support we have received from Avon over the past 30 years which has helped us to continue our work to promote, fund and actively research alternatives to animals in research and testing. Our hope is that one day current animal testing models will be replaced with more scientifically valid human-based methods.”

As a supporter of Replacing Animal Research, Avon displays the Replacing Animal Research logo across its channels and packaging to reflect its commitment to ending animal testing.

Corporate support

As an independent charity, Replacing Animal Research is entirely dependent on donations from supporters, including corporate supporters. Corporate supporters are companies who believe in Replacing Animal Research and the work we do in researching animal alternatives and support us in continuing our programme of projects, resources and training.

Many of our corporate supporters make an annual donation and in return we provide them with corporate membership. Privileges associated with corporate support membership might include collaboration in scientific projects, association with educational projects, access to Replacing Animal Research’s ethical expertise, advice and scientific support for product development and use of the Replacing Animal Research logo on products or marketing materials.

The presence of the Replacing Animal Research logo on a product means that the company supports Replacing Animal Research and its work.

Why support Replacing Animal Research?

Replacing Animal Research actively researches, educates and promotes alternative methods that will help drive change in the cosmetic field and beyond.

Replacing Animal Research is concerned that, despite the EU ban and requirement to use alternative methods where possible, animal testing is still occurring for regulatory reasons.

EU cosmetics regulation only applies to the testing of ingredients and products used solely in cosmetics and tests for consumer safety. These chemicals are still however subject to European REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals) legislation.¹

REACH requires companies that make and supply chemicals to provide and share data on the properties of chemicals to help control potential risks. Any chemical not used in cosmetics, or used for other purposes in addition to making cosmetics, may be tested on animals as a last resort to obtain the required information for REACH legislation.

The EU ban on animal testing does not apply to worker exposure safety tests or environmental tests to assess the impact of a chemical on the environment.² This potentially means that even chemicals used solely in cosmetics may still be tested on animals in the EU to obtain this information. ³

Replacing Animal Research looks at this bigger picture and is actively working to influence change by researching human-based alternatives to laboratory animals and educating scientists of the future in all areas of animal research and testing.

Our corporate supporters share our vision of a world where non-animal methods are accepted as scientific best practice, and help us work towards our aim of replacing animals in medical and scientific research, education and testing.

References

1. REACH (Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006)
2. Article 18, Cosmetics Regulation (Regula­tion (EC) No 1223/2009)
3. For more information on REACH and cosmetics regulation in Europe read ‘Interface between REACH and Cosmetic Regulation’ by the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)

You can help create a world without animal testing.  

Our mission is to create a world where human-centred science is considered best practice. Together, we can improve the lives of humans and animals. Your donation enable us to continue vital work funding innovative research, supporting young researchers, and educating on animal testing issues.