Cruelty Free International Connects With The Body Shop Customers Across ASEAN to Call for a Ban on Cosmetics Testing on Animals Worldwide

LONDON, July 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

A global pledge to ban animal testing for cosmetics will be launched at The Body Shop stores across ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as part of a campaign by Cruelty Free International, the first global organisation dedicated to ending the use of animals to test cosmetics products throughout the world. The pledge will run in stores in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Sabah and Sarawak and Vietnam across the coming months.

The global pledge will be available at The Body Shop stores in 65 countries. It is the largest and most ambitious campaign ever to seek a global ban on the use of animals to test cosmetics. In addition to engaging with the estimated 275 million people a year who visit The Body Shop stores, Cruelty Free International will also be linking to The Body Shop websites, which host millions of customers annually.

There is no worldwide ban on animal testing for cosmetics and over 80% of the world still allows animals to be used in cruel experiments. ASEAN regulates cosmetics under the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive, largely similar to the EU Cosmetics Directive. Unlike the European Union, however, the ASEAN does not ban the testing of cosmetics on animals across the region.  

Cruelty Free International works with governments, regulators, companies and partner organisations worldwide and will be urging ASEAN regulators to bring an end to animal testing for cosmetics across member countries. As part of a global network, ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society), a non-profit organization based in Singapore, runs the Cruelty Free International Asia office.

Paul McGreevy, International Values and R&D Director of The Body Shop, said, "The Body Shop believes passionately that no animal should be harmed due to the demands of governments and regulators around the world.  We have a long commitment to this cause, and unfortunately many people believe this issue is resolved and it is not. We are very proud to support Cruelty Free International's campaign to achieve a worldwide ban on animal testing and encourage everyone to sign their pledge in our stores!"

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive, Cruelty Free International, said, "The Body Shop has been internationally renowned for its Against Animal Testing stance right from the very start. -It has led the way with their efforts to bring an end to animal testing, and Cruelty Free International is delighted that The Body Shop is supporting us with our ground breaking campaign."

The Cruelty Free International pledge is available in The Body Shop stores in ASEAN and online at http://www.CrueltyFreeInternational.org

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Contact: media@crueltyfreeinternational.org or +44(0)7850-510-955 or +44(0)207-619-6978.