The European Parliament's Environment Committee has adopted a resolution calling for a worldwide ban on animal testing for cosmetics.

Animal testing for cosmetics has been banned in the EU since 2009 and it has been illegal to place on the EU market any cosmetic products that have been tested on animals since March 2013. Despite these advances in Europe, 80% of countries globally still allow animal testing and the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals and with it, the possibility that such products could still find their way into the EU illegally.

The resolution calls for action within the UN Framework to end animal testing for cosmetics globally and for the continued development of alternative methods of testing. Speaking after the vote, ECR Group environment spokeswoman Julie Girling MEP said: "Animal testing for cosmetics has no place in today's society. There needs to be a global effort to end animal testing worldwide and such a ban could, for example, be concluded under the UN Framework.

"Within the EU we need to step up our efforts to ensure that all cosmetics sold here have never been tested on animals. With over 80% of countries around the world still allowing animal testing we must be vigilant otherwise the EU-wide ban counts for nothing."

Animal testing of finished cosmetic products and cosmetic ingredients have been prohibited in the EU since September 2004 and March 2009 respectively. The marketing ban of finished cosmetic products and cosmetic ingredients which were tested on animals became fully applicable in March 2013, irrespective of the availability of alternative non-animal tests.

Despite some notable legislative advances around the world, about 80% of the world’s countries still allow animal testing and the marketing of cosmetics tested on animals.

The resolution calls for the Commission to take decisive action to create an international agreement (within the UN framework similar to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)) to bring a definitive end to cosmetics animal testing globally.

The resolution will now be put for a vote by the whole European Parliament at a forthcoming plenary session.