When the EU banned cosmetics that had been tested on animals in 2013, there was a collective sigh of relief from pet-lovers everywhere.

But has it put an end to the practice of mice and rabbits being used for tests to ensure make-up is safe for humans? Not entirely.

Loopholes in the law, as well as many brands' policy of testing outside the EU, mean that many companies that call themselves cruelty-free are actually not.

Revealed: As a result of the EU's 2013 ban, companies are not permitted to sell cosmetics which have been animal-tested in the EU, but many quietly continue to do so overseas (file photo)

According to animal rights organisation PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), brands such as L'Oreal, Estee Lauder, Olay, Revlon and Clarins are all guilty of testing their products on animals 'at some stage of development'.

They say the practice is still taking place abroad because it's an issue of cost, as animal testing can be cheaper and easier than many humane methods.

Such methods include trials using human cells and tissues, advanced computer-modelling techniques and studies with human volunteers.

As a result of the 2013 ban, these cosmetic giants sell cruelty-free products in the EU but have to comply with local law abroad - which in some cases demands that creams, lotions and make-up are tested on animals.

For instance, any cosmetics giant that sells their goods in China must submit them to be tested in Chinese laboratories, where more than 300,000 animals are used each year and welfare laws are notoriously slack.

Companies including L'Oreal, Revlon and Olay have policies on their websites which state that they do not test on animals anywhere in the world. With one proviso: 'Except when required by law'.

Campaigns: According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), companies word their cruelty-free policies 'very carefully'. Pictured, two of PETA's previous anti-animal testing ads

The ugly side of beauty: Animals used in cosmetic testing have substances poked into their eyes, forced down their throat and rubbed into open wounds. Pictured, two more of PETA's awareness campaigns

L'Oreal - which claims to invest in the development of humane alternatives - has a policy regarding their no animal-testing which states: 'An exception could only be made if regulatory authorities demanded it for safety or regulatory purposes.'

PETA's senior vice president Kathy Guillermo told FEMAIL: 'L'Oreal and some other companies word their statements very carefully.

'In China, the tests are not technically conducted by L'Oreal but the company knows about them, allows them and pays for them.'

PETA'S HALL OF SHAME: COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT CRUELTY-FREE Avon Benefit Bobbi Brown Bumble and Bumble Clarins Clinique Dove Elizabeth Arden Estee Lauder Jo Malone Kiehl's Lancome MAC Max Factor Maybelline Olay Revlon Advertisement

She added: 'It is wonderful that L'Oreal is no longer conducting tests itself and is committed to superior non-animal test methods but allowing these unnecessary poisoning tests to be done by other entities means that L'Oreal cannot be on our list of companies that do not test on animals.'

The discrepancy has its roots in the 2013 EU ban which, while hailed by animal-lovers, left many cosmetic companies furious.

Cosmetics Europe chief Bertil Heerink, quoted by the Associated Press, said: 'By implementing the ban at this time, the European Union is jeopardising the industry's ability to innovate'.

This innovation is at the cost of tests during which dogs, cats, rabbits and rodents have substances poked into their eyes, forced down their throats and rubbed into open wounds.

China's $32 billion (£20 billion) beauty market is a huge draw for many companies, but the law means brands who are completely cruelty-free cannot sell their wares there.

In a statement made to Bloomberg in 2013, a spokesman for The Body Shop, which refuses to sell in China on these grounds, said: 'We would love to open stores in China.

'We watch closely any developments in the legislation which would enable us to do that without compromising our core beliefs.'

Many companies which do sell in China argue that the only way to enforce a change in their laws is to be a player in the industry.

Wendy Higgins, international communications director of The Humane Society, is wary of this justification and is spearheading the organisation's #BeCrueltyFree campaign in the hopes of changing the laws in China so that animal testing there is no longer mandatory.

Push: The Humane Society's #BeCrueltyFree campaign (pictured) hopes to change the law in China so that animal testing there is no longer mandatory, and encourages Western brands not to sell there until then

She tells MailOnline: 'Big beauty brands have been selling in China for years and not actively contributed to accelerating change so I'm sceptical about claims that they need to be in China.

'Collectively, all those big brands could be extremely influential if only they decided to withdraw from China unless animal testing is banned.

'Indeed, we've explicitly invited one of the biggest players, L'Oreal, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in actively supporting our legislative efforts. To date it hasn't taken us up on that offer.'

She adds: 'We're making some progress in China. I think we will get there - so far our #BeCrueltyFree campaign has welcomed cosmetics animal testing bans in more than 30 countries, including the EU, Israel, India and New Zealand.

'As more and more countries turn their backs on cosmetics cruelty, China's position becomes ever more isolated.'

Sadly, China is not the only country that imposes such conditions. Legal loopholes within the EU's own law mean that the problem is close to home.

PETA's Ms Guillermo said: 'Unfortunately the ban in the EU does not ensure that no animals have been harmed.'

She points to REACH - an EU regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals.

Overseas: Any cosmetics giant that sells their goods in China must by law submit them to be animal-tested in Chinese laboratories, where welfare laws are notoriously slack (file photo)

BIG BEAUTY BRANDS ON THEIR ANIMAL-TESTING ABROAD POLICIES FEMAIL contacted all the brands on PETA's list of companies to ask about their animal-testing policies abroad. The abridged responses from those who got back to us are as follows: L'OREAL: 'In China, the regulatory authorities carry out within their evaluation centres animal tests for finished cosmetics products before these are placed on their market. We think these tests are unnecessary but we cannot prevent them.' AVON: 'Some products may be required by law in a few countries to undergo additional safety testing, including animal testing. In these instances, Avon will first attempt to persuade the requesting authority to accept non-animal test data.' REVLON: 'We believe that women should have the opportunity to express themselves through make-up, so we sell our products in many markets around the world and, as such, are subject to local rules and regulations... Revlon complies with all regulations in the countries in which our products are sold.' MAX FACTOR and OLAY (owned by P&G): 'We do not test our products or ingredients on animals anywhere in the world unless required by law... We will continue to develop new non-animal alternative tests and work with regulators around the world to get these new methods accepted as standard, which is the only solution to ultimately end animal testing globally.' BENEFIT: 'Benefit continues to strongly support and favour alternative testing and is committed to following all animal testing laws and regulations in order to ensure our products’ safety for the end consumer.' CLARINS: 'As a global company, we are committed to providing our products and services to our consumers where they live and to do so, we must comply with all legal requirements where we do business. Some countries unfortunately still require animal testing in order to validate the safety of cosmetic ingredients in products.' Advertisement

Under REACH, the EU is still insisting on animal tests for chemicals used in cosmetics where there is a possibility of 'workforce exposure' during manufacturing processes.

These chemicals could potentially be in a host of beauty products but PETA says there are ways to test them without using animals.

Ms Guillermo said: 'We do know that there are approximately 100 cases of ingredients that will have to be tested under REACH. We don't yet know what those chemicals are or what companies are involved.'

She added that other companies who declare themselves cruelty-free side-step these tests.

Loophole: Under the EU's REACH regulations, certain cosmetics ingredients can still be tested on animals (file photo)

Ms Guillermo said: 'The power is really in their hands. They can choose what ingredients to use and not use.

'If the EU identifies a chemical for animal testing, the companies can stop using that chemical, just as they can choose not to sell in China. Being cruelty-free is an option for every company.'

And there are plenty of them, according to celebrity make-up artist Justine Jenkins, who is also the Beauty Ambassador for Humane Society International.

'I do not believe that animals should suffer cruel tests for the sake of beauty. It is unnecessary and outdated,' she said.

'There are some amazing cruelty-free brands on the market, some you will know and some you won't but try them - you may just discover your new favourite product.'

Among them is Sunday Riley, who founded a brand of the same name and said: 'As a dog owner myself, I'd hate to see any animals subjected to cosmetics testing when there are less cruel and more efficient alternatives.'

English Mineral Make-up, an up-and-coming new brand, said: 'We passionately feel that no cosmetic should ever involve animal testing, and that you should be informed and aware of anything you put on to you skin.'

Urban Decay, which has repeatedly declined the opportunity to sell in China, say: 'We do not test our products on animals, nor do we allow others to test on our behalf.

'Additionally, we require our suppliers to certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are not tested on animals either.'

And Paula's Choice founder Paula Begoun, told us: 'Paula's Choice has been an animal friendly place of employment for over 20 years. I often had more dogs at meetings than people.

'My company and I are often amazed that there could be anything else but cruelty-free beauty products. The notion is beyond our comprehension.

'Being cruelty-free wasn't a decision. There was no other option for us. Being kind to animals was and will always be the heart of what we do.'