A4-0165/95

Resolution on the 1994 annual report of the Commission on the development, validation and legal acceptance of alternative methods to animal experiments

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the 1994 annual report of the Commission, dated 15 December 1994, on the development, validation and legal acceptance of alternative methods to animal experiments (COM(94)0606 - C4-0115/95),

-having regard to its decision at second reading of 21 April 1993 on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a Directive amending for the sixth time Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products (C3-0010/93 - SYN 307),

-having regard to Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993 amending for the sixth time Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0165/95),

1.Regrets that, two years after the adoption of Directive 93/35/EEC, the Commission is not able to provide a detailed analysis of the scale and purpose of animal testing for cosmetics in the European Union;

2.Condemns the fact that little progress has been made in replacing experiments on animals with alternative methods, which calls into question the deadline of 1 January 1998 set for the banning of experiments on animals under Directive 93/35/EEC;

3.Insists once again that 1 January 1998 should be the deadline for the banning of experiments on animals;

4.Calls on the Commission to:

(a)produce detailed statistical analysis of cosmetics tests on animals in all Member States for the period 1991-93;

(b)review immediately its current interpretation of Article 4 and confirm that finished product tests are within the scope of the Directive;

(c)discuss urgently with the national competent authorities means of greater scrutiny of cosmetics tests prior to authorization, including critical review of their necessity and severity and the number of animals used;

(d)establish means whereby all companies and institutions undertaking animal tests within the EU are required to participate actively in developmental and validation studies, conduct parallel in vitro work where animal tests are performed and supply relevant data for use in EU data facilities;

(e)initiate discussion within the OECD to facilitate early acceptance of alternative methods in those areas of testing described as 'hopeful';

(f)in conjunction with Member States and industry, initiate and fund appropriate studies to advance the development of alternative methods in those areas of greatest numerical significance for cosmetics, e.g. contact sensitization, acute/sub-chronic/chronic toxicity;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.