In Russia, testing cosmetics on animals has been legal since Soviet times. Alternative methods are being developed all the time, but scientists say they are not yet advanced enough to completely replace the use of animals.

In 2003 the EU agreed to adopt a decree banning all testing on animals, as well as almost all tested products. Until 2010 testing is still allowed if good alternative methods can’t be found. After that the ban will come into force.

However, in Russia animals are required by law in cosmetics testing facilities.
 
“We also support the idea of eliminating animals from experiments. But at present, the law dictates that we analyse cosmetic and perfume products using animals,” explained Ekaterina Skvortsova, an experimental toxicology expert.
 
Material and cell cultures, computer models, even cattle sperm cells are all possible replacements. However, for Russia’s growing number of animal rights activists, this is little consolation.
 
“Tests on animals are not only inhumane, they are also useless and dangerous because cosmetics that have successfully passed through animal tests could turn out to be very harmful to humans,” claimed Inessa Samkova, animal rights activist.