ETHICS IN THE COSMETICS INDUSTRY

Ethics are considered very important to the cosmetics industry for it comes under closer scrutiny then other industries. Cosmetic products have traditionally been perceived as ‘vanity’ products; they can be considered non-essentials mainly bought by people to improve their appearance. The industry and its business practices are therefore much more scrutinized then other related industries, such as foods, pharmaceuticals, home cleaning products and so on.

The cosmetics industry is often targeted by the media and NGOs because of the use of animal-testing methods. Cosmetic companies have historically tested ingredients, as well as finished products, on animals (typically rabbits and mice) to check safety levels. Although there is a move to phase out animal testing in the industry, it is likely to be many years (if not decades) before a global ban is introduced and then enforced. Israel introduced its ban in January 2013, the EU ban is scheduled for March 2013, whilst other countries have yet to introduce regulations to ban such methods.

Consumers place great emphasis on buying cosmetics with a conscience. A survey by the American online retailer Vitacost. com in October 2012 found that 75% of women prefer to purchase cosmetic products with a ‘cruelty-free’ logo over products without. Since cosmetics are made up of chemicals, the industry is closely linked to the chemical industry. Indeed, many of the largest chemical companies in the world supply specialty chemicals to the cosmetics industry. Some of the unethical business practices of the chemical industry, like environmental pollution, also become associated with the cosmetics industry.

Cosmetic companies are also coming under the microscope for natural ingredient sourcing. The industry is one of the largest users of palm oil, a vegetable oil that is predominantly grown in Indonesia and Malaysia. Unethical sourcing of palm oil has been responsible for the destruction of tropical rainforests, threatening the habitat of endangered orang-utans. The environmental damage caused by cosmetic finished products is also coming under the spotlight. A number of studies have reported on the adverse effects of cosmetic ingredients on the environment. 

The safety of cosmetic ingredients is also the subject of much attention.

To conclude the cosmetics industry gets more then its fair share of scrutiny because of the perceived nature of cosmetic products. Apart from the ethical issues surrounding animal testing, the industry is often criticised for its selection and use of raw materials, environmental impacts and safety issues of finished products.