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The government in the U.K. will allow cosmetics to be tested on animals for the first time in 25 years. It banned testing in 1998. It was still allowed on animals if there were great benefits for humans. This meant scientists could test chemicals on animals to develop new medicines. However, a court in London said animal testing for cosmetics could start again. The judges in the court followed European Union laws on the safer use of chemicals in animal testing. One chemical that can now be tested on animals is already widely used. It is in sunscreen, foundation and skincare products. The U.K. government said it was "committed to the protection of animals in science".
Many people are angry with the government's decision. Surprisingly, many cosmetics companies are unhappy. A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made up of over 80 cosmetics brands, wrote a letter to the U.K. government. It said changing the law was a terrible decision. A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice." A scientist at Unilever, one of the world's largest cosmetic companies, said testing was "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology, testing could be carried out without using animals.
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