The Swiss government says it will stop selling cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals abroad. The news comes after Maya Graf, a politician for the Green Party, asked for an end to animal testing for cosmetics in Swiss parliament last week.

Switzerland will be the 35^th country to stop animal testing for cosmetics since the EU ban in 2013. Other countries to introduce full or partial bans include Norway, Israel, India, New Zealand, Turkey, South Korea and Brazil.

Cruelty Free International ambassador Vanessa-Mae, who lives in Switzerland, said: “As a Swiss resident, I am delighted the government is taking action by stopping the sale of cruel cosmetics with ingredients tested abroad. Switzerland is joining a growing list of countries that are demonstrating a commitment to ending the sad and pointless practice of animal testing.”

Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said: “We welcome the announcement from the Swiss government that it is banning the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals abroad. It is a good start and brings Switzerland closer to the EU ban which has already had such a positive impact on the market. However we would now like to see a full ban implemented including on animal testing for cleaning and household products.”

In March 2013, after a 20-year campaign led by Cruelty Free International, the EU announced an end to the sale of animal-tested cosmetics. Since then, Cruelty Free International has led the campaign to see similar bans across the world.

Find out more about our global campaign to end cruel cosmetics