The government the U.K. will allow cosmetics to be tested animals the first time in 25 years. It banned testing 1998. It was still allowed animals if there were great benefits humans. This meant scientists could test chemicals animals to develop new medicines. However, a court in London said animal testing cosmetics could start again. The judges in the court followed European Union laws the safer use of chemicals in animal testing. One chemical that can now be tested on animals is already widely used. It is in sunscreen, foundation and skincare products. The U.K. government said it was "committed to the protection animals in science".
Many people are angry the government's decision. Surprisingly, many cosmetics companies are unhappy. A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made of over 80 cosmetics brands, wrote a letter to the U.K. government. It said changing the law was a terrible decision. A spokesperson the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice." A scientist Unilever, one the world's largest cosmetic companies, said testing was "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology, testing could be carried out using animals.
