Unilever's Head of Regulatory Affairs and Head of Safety and Environmental Assurance speak on importance of joining ICCS, a new coalition supporting animal-free safety science; company notes need for regulatory change, confidence in modern safety methods

February 15, 2023 (press release) –

Unilever is joining a new global partnership of cosmetics manufacturers and suppliers, industry associations and animal protection organisations to form the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS).

This coalition aims to support innovation in animal-free cosmetics and personal care products and ingredients by funding rigorous, scientific evaluation of new safety assessment approaches. It will share the results of these activities with cosmetics and chemical regulators and fund education and training to help build confidence in animal-free safety science.

Advocating for regulatory change in animal testing

At Unilever, we’ve developed and used alternatives to animal testing for decades. We want to help bring about an end to animal testing for cosmetics worldwide.

We are recognised by PETA as a company working for regulatory change and 31 of our brands are PETA Approved.

We believe that with modern safety methods, there is no need for animals to be used in testing cosmetic ingredients. But in many parts of the world, chemicals policies and regulations require animal test data and have not yet incorporated the rapid progress in applying innovative, animal-free science to safety assessments.

ICCS aims to close this gap by collaborating with existing organisations to:

• Evaluate and further develop animal-free safety assessment approaches and demonstrate their scientific validity for human health and environmental protection.
• Share results with regulators to inform ongoing regulatory acceptance discussions around the world.
• Provide education and training materials to accelerate widespread adoption of the latest animal-free safety science.

"It's time for animal testing for cosmetics to end”

“We have seen significant scientific advancements in the development, evaluation and use of animal-free methods for safety assessment in recent decades,” says Erin Hill, President and CEO of ICCS.

“ICCS brings together scientists from leading organisations around the world to continue this momentum and work toward our shared ambition for a future where no ingredients or products are tested on animals.”

“It’s never been a more important time for industry and NGOs to join forces for regulatory change and we look forward to working alongside our ICCS partners,” agrees Julia Fentem, Head of Unilever’s Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre.

“Unilever recently worked with animal protection organisations to support a European Citizens’ Initiative calling for EU policy-makers to protect a ban on animal testing for cosmetics which is under threat. The ECI closed with over 1.2 million signatures. The message from consumers is clear. The science is ready. It’s time for animal testing for cosmetics to end.”

Charles-François Gaudefroy, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Unilever, adds: “We’re proud to be part of this unique organisation, bringing together stakeholders from industry, NGOs, academics and regulators to advance animal-free safety science – and be able to use it.”