REACH and Animal Testing

I have written a number of times about the importance of new regulations requiring the testing industrial chemicals, consumer products, paints, cars, food additives and cosmetics for chemicals that can be detrimental to human and environmental health.  The majority of products in the marketplace have not been tested for safety to humans and the environment.  Beginning in June 2007 in the EU REACH legislation will require companies to prove the safety of all chemicals used in their products, whether old or new.  While the legislation is EU based, it really should have far reaching benefits for the entire world, as we will gain much needed information about the current chemical soup our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis.  Unfortunately, the grim news is that much of the testing will involve outdated means of testing involving of over a million animals in new experiments.  Please learn more about the alternatives to animal based testing.  No matter what part of the world we live in, we have a responsibility to respect the lives of other species by using more humane alternatives to animal testing.