Elisa Grube
Marketing Manager The Body Shop Chile
On International Laboratory Animal Day, we pause to reflect on the impact of animal testing in the cosmetics industry and celebrate a significant milestone in the fight for a more ethical and compassionate world. Recently, Chile took an important step forward by officially prohibiting animal testing for cosmetic purposes, as well as the manufacturing, importing and marketing of cosmetics tested on animals in other parts of the world.
This historic decision, driven by the tireless campaign of Humane Society International and the NGO Te Protejo, marks a before and after in the cosmetics industry and reflects a paradigm shift in the way we conceive beauty and personal care. It is a clear testimony that innovation and ethics can coexist, and that it is possible to create high-quality products without compromising the well-being of living beings.
The magnitude of this problem is overwhelming. It is estimated that more than 12 million animals are used by the cosmetics industry for research in the European Union each year. This is equivalent to 137 animals undergoing cruel and painful experiments every 10 minutes. In addition to demonstrating the extent of cruelty, these figures reflect the urgency of adopting responsible and sustainable alternatives in product research and development.
For this reason, we are proud to be pioneers in the promotion of cruelty-free cosmetics and in going one step further, by certifying our entire portfolio as 100% vegan, to which is added the petition that the company submitted to the UN to to support the end of cosmetic testing on animals worldwide.
We firmly believe that beauty should not come at an ethical cost, and we are committed to offering products that respect life in all its forms. Chile’s decision reinforces our commitment and inspires us to continue innovating and leading the way toward a more compassionate future.
We urge other countries and the industry as a whole to follow our country’s example and adopt these types of policies and bans. It is time to recognize that animals are not laboratory tools, but sentient beings that deserve our protection and respect.
On this International Laboratory Animal Day, let’s call for action to accelerate the shift toward more ethical practices in the cosmetics industry. Together, we can achieve truly cruelty-free beauty and continue to fight for a fairer, more beautiful world.
