The Kose Group has issued a statement saying it is placing the safety of its products as its top priority, and continues to develop cosmetic products without using animal testing. 

The company also states that it maintains a range of independent standards, which are alternatives to animal testing – relying on “massive amounts” of safety data that it has accumulated through years of cosmetic product development, combined with various clinical tests with volunteer testing panels.

All of these measures ensure the safety of its cosmetic products, the company says. Kose added, “We will continue to observe our policy of not conducting animal testing, including testing entrusted to external parties, in the future development of our cosmetic products.”

Kose Group also noted, to the disappointment of animal activists, no doubt: “This excludes instances where we are held responsible by society to evidence the safety of a product or where it is required by administrations in particular countries.”

However, the company is taking actions towards the abolishment of animal testing and says it has been pursuing more alternative testing methods since the early 90s – and hopes to help end it as quickly as possible.

The company also stated: While continuing to provide our on-going support to the Japanese Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments, KOSÉ works actively with the industry at large and joint initiatives run by industry, government and academia, furthering our efforts to contribute to the social acceptance and development of non-animal testing alternatives.