Korea to End Animal Testing for Cosmetics

Cruelty Free International has welcomed the imminent launch of a Korean Bill, with official support, to end all testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals by 2017. This follows extensive negotiations by Cruelty Free International with Ministerial officials, the Food and Drug Administration and Parliamentarians, led by Rep.Jeong-Lim Moon, member of the Health and Welfare Committee, who will present the Bill to implement the proposals during March. If this goes ahead, Korea will be the second country inAsiato set out on the route to completely end animal testing for cosmetics.

Cruelty Free International East Asia Manager,Hyung Ju Lee, said, «I am thrilled Korea has set a concrete date and commitment to ban animal testing for cosmetics ingredients and products following two years of detailed work by Cruelty Free International. I would like to thank all our negotiating partners for working with us in achieving this breakthrough. We look forward to an end to animal suffering for cosmetics in Korea».

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International, commented, «We are delighted Korea has made the decisive move to ban cruel cosmetics, after years of preparatory work with Cruelty Free International. This is a great start to the New Year, and we call on the rest of the world to seize this opportunity to consign animal testing for cosmetics to the global history books».

Cruelty Free International is the only global campaigning organisation whose sole mission is to bring about an end to the use of animals for cosmetics tests for products and their ingredients. With offices in the UK, US,BrazilandAsia, it works with governments, regulators, companies and partner organizations worldwide and has placed the issue of animal testing on the agenda of many governments for the very first time. Cruelty Free International led the 20-year campaign for the European Union animal cosmetics testing ban in 2013.

Oscar Nunez,perhaps best known for his role as accountant «Oscar Martinez» on the US version of hit television comedy seriesThe Office,has teamed up with Cruelty Free International to call on the US to match the EU in ending cosmetics testing on animals.

«I am proud to join Cruelty Free International in urging the US to end cosmetics testing on animals», said Oscar, who posed for a photo shoot along with his rescue dog Gus. This week marks the second anniversary of the historic ban on the marketing of new animal-tested cosmetics in the EU which went into full effect inMarch 2013.Oscar joins the star of the original UK version of The Office,Ricky Gervais,in supporting Cruelty Free International. As Cruelty Free International ambassador, Ricky starred in the organization’s global campaign launch video.

In addition toEurope and South Korea,Indianow has testing and sales bans in place whileBrazil andNew Zealandmade significant strides toward ending animal testing via legislation or policy decisions.Vietnamhas agreed to end eye and skin irritation tests and there has been promising changes inChina’sacceptance of non-animal tests for regular cosmetic products manufactured domestically.