The expanded program will be designed to demonstrate to regulators and industry in these countries how alternative testing strategies for cosmetic products can be integrated into a regulatory acceptance program.
"Generous support from industry and animal protection organisations now enables us to expand our international programs so we can have an impact in countries such as China, Brazil and Russia," said Dr Rodger Curren, president of IIVS.
Headed up with experience
Curren announced that the International Outreach Program will be headed by Dr Brian Jones who has recently joined IIVS as Director, Education and Outreach, following his role at the State Food and Drug Administration in China.
"Brian's recent work with the Chinese sFDA on alternative testing programs and his knowledge from an industry perspective provide the experience we need to develop effective programs of education and skills training for these geographies,” explained Curren.
Jones also comes with a range of experience in the cosmetics industry itself, having worked at Mary Kay with a primary focus on developing Mary Kay's efficacy and safety testing using non-animal methods.
This followed roles at cosmetics company Avon, where he was responsible for establishing the US company’s presence in alternatives, and a similar role at L’Oréal USA where he emphasised the use of alternative testing parameters for US-based products.
EC update
The news will be a boost in the battle to end animal testing in cosmetics after the European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE) issued a statement last week suggesting that the European Commission is likely to propose an exemption to the animal testing ban for products that contain ‘significant added value’.
According to the animal welfare organisation, the proposed exemption would allow certain animal tested products to remain on the cosmetics market in Europe.
EC ‘Health & Consumer Policy’ spokesperson, Frederic Vincent told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com; “We will be releasing a proposal in the coming weeks in regards to products that may be exempt, our deadline is 2013, we must stringently stick to that.”