− | Cosmetics testing is banned in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK, and in 2002, after 13 years of discussion, the European Union (EU) agreed to phase in a near-total ban on the sale of animal-tested cosmetics throughout the EU from 2009, and to ban all cosmetics-related animal testing. France, which is home to the world's largest cosmetics company, [[OBF:L'Oreal]], has protested the proposed ban by lodging a case at the [[OBF:European Court of Justice]] in [[OBF:Luxembourg]], asking that the ban be quashed.<ref name=Osborn /> The ban is also opposed by the European Federation for Cosmetics Ingredients, which represents 70 companies in Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy.<ref name=Osborn>Osborn, Andrew & Gentleman, Amelia.[http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,11917,1021527,00.html "Secret French move to block animal-testing ban"], ''The Guardian'', August 19, 2003. Retrieved February 27, 2008.</ref> | + | Cosmetics testing is banned in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK, and in 2002, after 13 years of discussion, the European Union (EU) agreed to phase in a near-total ban on the sale of animal-tested cosmetics throughout the EU from 2009, and to ban all cosmetics-related animal testing. |
| + | France, which is home to the world's largest cosmetics company, [[OBF:L'Oreal]], has protested the proposed ban by lodging a case at the [[OBF:European Court of Justice]] in [[OBF:Luxembourg]], asking that the ban be quashed.<ref name=Osborn /> The ban is also opposed by the European Federation for Cosmetics Ingredients, which represents 70 companies in Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy.<ref name=Osborn>Osborn, Andrew & Gentleman, Amelia.[http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,11917,1021527,00.html "Secret French move to block animal-testing ban"], ''The Guardian'', August 19, 2003. Retrieved February 27, 2008.</ref> |