Israel bans cosmetic & cleaning product testing on animals; EU advisory body approves alternatives

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, June 2007:
JERUSALEM–The Knesset on May 21, 2007 voted 29-0 with two
abstentions to approve on third and final reading a law prohibiting
animal testing of cosmetic and cleaning products.
Taking effect immediately on passage, the law “frees the
2,000-3,000 animals in Israel who are currently used to test cosmetic
and cleaning products,” said the Jerusalem Post. However, the law
allows continued laboratory use of animals in developing medicinal
products and health care procedures.
Bill author Gideon Sa’ar of the Likud Party told the Knesset
that he intrduced it at request of his 16-year-old daughter, Daniella.
“On the basis of what Daniella saw and learned,” Sa’ar said,
“she convinced me that this bill needed to be passed. I am very
proud of this new generation, who want a more humane society.”

The Israeli law passed less than four weeks after the
scientific advisory committee of the European Centre for the
Validation of Alternative Methods on April 28, 2007 approved five
tests for cosmetic products that it said would make most animal
testing unnecessary to meet European Union safety standards. Centre
spokespersons estimated that the newly approved tests would eliminate
the use of about 20,000 rabbits per year and about half of the
480,000 mice now used, chiefly in skin allergy screening.
“Under European Union rules, testing on animals must stop
once other options have been validated by experts,” summarized the
London Evening Standard. “A full ban is subject to approval by all
27 member states, but this could happen by the end of the summer.”
The E.U. already has a directive in effect requiring an end to
testing cosmetic ingredients on animals by 2009.