Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to Answers of 6 December 2021 to Question 76580 and 28 October 2021 to Question 59749, whether any ingredients used solely for cosmetics products are tested on animals in the UK to comply with UK REACH as of 9 February 2022; whether she has plans to allow such testing in future; and if she will make a statement.

The Government can confirm, there has been no change to, and there is no plan to change, any of the legislation related to regulatory testing using animals in the UK.

This includes, but not limited to, the Cosmetic Products Enforcement Act 2013, UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act.

The Government can confirm that animal testing may be legally performed, as a last resort, where no alternatives exist, where information is required under UK REACH to protect human or animal health and/or the environment. This could include ingredients for which, at the time of testing, the sole anticipated use is in cosmetic products.