A letter urging the European Commission to prioritise the phase-out of animal testing, and fully implement the Roadmap which is due to be published early next year, has been sent to Commission Directors by 17 MEPs. 

Led by Luxembourg MEP Tilly Metz, the letter is signed by MEPs from a range of political groups and raises concerns that neither the Roadmap nor the proposed revisions to the EU’s main chemicals law, REACH (the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), are included in the Commission’s 2026 work programme. 

The letter continues: “The EC Roadmap represents a shared commitment between the European Commission, the European Parliament and citizens to achieve a science-based and sustainable transition… towards a future where safety assessments are carried out through advanced, human-relevant, non-animal methods”. 

It urges the Commission to publish timelines, milestones and funding details for the Roadmap, and to ensure that the Roadmap and REACH revision are linked to support innovation. 

“By taking these steps, the EU can remain at the forefront of scientific excellence, innovation, and ethical research, protecting people, animals, and the environment,” it tells Veronica Manfredi, Directorate-General for the Environment, and Kristin Schreiber, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. 

In addition to Greens/EFA MEP Metz, the letter is signed by Dimitris Tsiodras (EPP), Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left), Lynn Boylan (The Left), Rasmus Nordqvist (Greens/EFA), Pär Holmgren (Greens/EFA), Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP), Niels Fuglsang (S&D), Jutta Paulus (Greens/EFA), Manuela Ripa (EPP), Majdouline Sbai (Greens/EFA), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Lukas Sieper (NI), Cristina Guarda (Greens/EFA), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Heléne Fritzon (S&D). 

In 2022, over 1.2 million people demanded the protection and strengthening of the EU cosmetics animal testing bans, the transformation of chemicals legislation and modernisation of science in the EU by signing the ‘Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics – Commit to a Europe Without Animal Testing’ European Citizens’ Initiative, which was launched by a coalition of European animal protection groups including Cruelty Free Europe. In response, the European Commission promised to start planning the total phase-out of animal testing for all chemical safety assessments. 

Our EU Head of Public Affairs, Dylan Underhill, said: “We welcome this letter and the message it sends to the European Commission. We echo the call for innovation within EU industry to be supported by investment in humane, modern non-animal testing methods which deliver a high level of protection for human health and the environment. 

“By seizing the opportunity which the Roadmap presents, the EU can honour the wishes of its citizens by working to end the cruel and outdated use of animals in science.”