For over two decades Revlon has had a ban on testing cosmetics on animals and was even included on PETA’s list of companies not testing on animals, but the campaign group has recently accused it, along with Estée Lauder and Mary Kay, of paying for product tests on animals in China.
Whilst Revlon has refused to answer questions on the subject, PETA hopes that by becoming a stockholder, it will be able to press the company on the matter.
Call for transparency
PETA will now be able to attend annual shareholder meetings and submit resolutions calling for transparency in Revlon's animal testing policies.
“We bought stock in the company because as shareholders, we can demand transparency about animal testing activity and also work in yet another way to get the tests stopped,” says a PETA statement.
"Since Revlon won't come clean to consumers, maybe it'll answer a shareholder," adds PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman. "If the company is breaking its 1989 ban on poisoning animals, we will find out in the boardroom, if necessary, and then shout it from the rooftop."
Developments
The Chinese government currently requires animal tests for almost all cosmetics products marketed there, thus drawing attention to cosmetic players still present in the market.
Recently, cosmetics manufacturer Urban Decay reversed its decision to sell products in China due to the animal testing rules in the country, having been hounded by the public as well as several animal rights groups.
Alternative test methods are currently being developed and several scientists are working with the Chinese government to have these put in place, but a universal solution that suits every party has yet to be found, and decisions on the first non-animal test method in China are pending.