March 21, 2008

[RussiaToday - video at full story link]

In Russia, testing cosmetics on animals has been legal since Soviet times. Alternative methods are being developed all the time, but scientists say they are not yet advanced enough to completely replace using animals.

In 2003 the EU agreed to adopt a decree banning all testing on animals, as well as almost all tested products. Until 2010 testing is still allowed if good alternative methods can't be found. After that the ban will come into force.

However, in Russia animals are required by law in cosmetics testing facilities.
...
"Tests on animals are not only inhumane, they are also useless and dangerous because cosmetics that have successfully passed through animal tests could turn out to be very harmful to humans," claimed Inessa Samkova, animal rights activist.

--
full story:
http://www.russiatoday.ru/features/news/22448