We’re delighted to report that up to 3000 rabbits and rats have been spared from two nasty animal tests under European chemicals regulations.

The European Chemicals Agency was requiring a group of chemical companies to carry out the tests for a substance called triphenyl phosphate.  But the companies appealed on the grounds that the tests were unnecessary.

The substance is already known to be toxic but the Agency had requested two further tests on it. These would have involved force feeding high doses of the substance to pregnant rats or rabbits and then examining their babies for deformities.

The tests would have resulted in the death of up to 3,000 rats and rabbits, including their pups.

Cruelty Free International applied to intervene in the case in support of the companies, as we have successfully done before.  But before the Board of Appeal could make a decision, the Agency changed its mind and decided the tests were not necessary after all.

We’re pleased that the European Chemicals Agency realised it was wrong to force the companies to carry out these cruel and unnecessary tests.

Find out why we're against animal testing.