Consumers misled over animal testing says UK charity

The group carried out a survey, asking over 2000 adults in the UK their opinions on animal testing in beauty products. Consumers won't buy products tested on animals ​ Over two thirds of British women would stop buying a particular beauty product or range if they knew it had been tested on animals, the survey suggested. In addition, the women also believed that cosmetics products and toiletries tested on animals should be banned, according to the group. Currently under European law the testing of finished products on animals is banned but animal testing may be used for some ingredients until 2013. However, the UK charity argues that consumers are unaware that in some cases ingredients are still tested on animals. Consumers misled by the industry ​ "Consumers are being misled by the beauty companies, who claim they don't test their products - but they still test the ingredients, or use a third party to do the testing for them,"​ said Uncaged campaigns director Dr Dan Lyons. According to Lyons, the charity wants to shed light on the dealings of the beauty industry so consumers can make an informed choice. In addition, he highlights the increasing power of the consumer and claims beauty companies are sitting on a ticking time bomb of consumer boycotts and falling sales. "Ethical shopping rose by 9 per cent last year as consumers realised how much power they have to change the way companies behave. If the British public knew about the animal testing of these products, sales would drop overnight,"​ he said. The charity has been active in the past against the beauty industry mobilising boycotts and demonstrations in the UK and internationally. Earlier this year the group was behind the twelfth boycott P&G day claiming that the US-based personal care is engaged in unnecessary animal testing. According to the group there were over 100 actions in more than 30 different countries involved in this year's event.