Brought to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City by The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International, the petition against cosmetic animal testing features 8.3 million signatures.
The ambitious campaign aims to the creation a global framework to end animal testing while advancing the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda.
Equal level of playing
According to The Body Shop and Cruelty Free International, a global framework is the only way to eliminate animal suffering and create a level playing field around the world. “Although there has been sizable progress, 80 percent of countries still have not made it illegal to test cosmetics on animals,” said the company. “Harmonizing safety testing requirements globally would allow companies to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and test duplication when accessing international markets.”
Cruelty Free International estimates that more than 500,000 animals each year are used in cosmetics testing.
"In just 15 months more than 8 million people signed their names in recognition that cosmetic animal testing is outdated and unnecessary," said David Boynton, CEO of The Body Shop. "We are determined to finish what Dame Anita Roddick started back in 1989, and today we are at the United Nations to call for collaboration among the cosmetic industry, civil society and governments to finally end cosmetic animal testing everywhere."
