New Zealand joins campaign to halt cosmetics tests on animals

SAFE, an animal advocacy organisation based in New Zealand, has partnered with Humane Society International (HSI) and UK-based Lush Cosmetics to launch the New Zealand arm of the global campaign, reported scoop.co.nz.

The campaign had been launched to coincide with the World Week for Animals in Laboratories.

Humane Society International research & toxicology director Troy Seidle said animal testing is the ugly secret of the beauty industry that needs to be stopped.

"Thousands of animals such as rabbits and mice continue to endure chemical poisoning tests just to produce new lipsticks and shampoos, and that’s simply unacceptable in a modern society," added Seidle.

According to the website, animal testing of cosmetics is already banned in the European Union (EU) and a sales ban is due to be implemented in March 2013.

With the exception to the EU, animal testing for cosmetics continues globally, and HSI and Lush are working as a team to ban both testing and the sale of cosmetics tested on animals in New Zealand.

SAFE campaign manager Mandy Carter said that the agency understands that New Zealand-based firms are not conducting any product testing on animals; however, the country’s law doesn’t forbid it and could lead to government approval if any company applies for it.

"There is absolutely no need for cosmetics to be tested on animals and we would like to see this enshrined in New Zealand law to ensure it will never happen," added Carter.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics said that animals should be protected by robust laws that force all companies to adopt humane methods to offer products in the market, for which it is petitioning John Key to follow the EU’s lead.