WRITTEN QUESTION E-0430/00

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(23 February 2000)

Subject: Development, validation and legal acceptance of alternative methods to animal testing experiments

On 22 October 1997 the European Parliament approved a report by Mrs Roth-Behrendt (A4-0277/1997(1)) in which the Commission was called upon, inter alia, to:

- bring forward without delay a proposal to ban testing of finished cosmetic products,

- take positive and urgent measures to give new momentum to the development of alternative methods.

Could the Commission state what action has been undertaken to date, or what action it proposes to take, to meet the calls made by Parliament in the report?

Could the Commission state whether it favours a complete ban on the use of animals to test finished products, and if so what timetable and strategy it envisages to achieve such a ban?

Could the Commission state what action it proposes to take in conjunction with the Directorate-General for Research through the Framework Programme or by other means to promote the development of alternatives?

(1) OJ C 339, 10.11.1997, p. 47.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2000)

The Commission is presently working on a draft proposal for a Parliament and Council Directive amending for the seventh time Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products(1). The draft in its current form introduces a permanent and definitive prohibition on the performance of experiments on animals for finished cosmetic products in the territory of Member States. This proposal would be in compliance with the request of the Parliament quoted by the Honourable Member. The proposed time-table for the entry into force of this ban would be the date of entry into force of the Directive.

The Commission is taking measures to continue the promotion of research into the development and validation of alternative methods in the field of cosmetic products. The fifth framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration (RDT) activities 1998-2002(2) makes provisions for such research. In particular, within the third key action The Cell Factory of the specific programme on quality of life and management of living resources, the Commission supports the development of novel in vitro testing and screening methods as alternatives to animal testing.

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999.