The manufacture and sale of all cosmetics and ingredients tested on animals has been banned by the European parliament.

The ban, which comes into effect from 2009, forbids testing both finished beauty products and their ingredients on animals in the European Union, and outlaws the sale of products and ingredients tested on animals elsewhere. The news has met with a mixed response from the beauty industry.

“We’re against animal testing for cosmetics,” says managing director of Aromatherapy Associates Geraldine Howard. “Hopefully this law will encourage investment in alternative methods.”

However, some manufacturers say the ban will hurt business, with strong opposition expected from France, which still conducts testing on animals. Others fear it could spark a global trade dispute.

Animal welfare groups welcome the law, but oppose a loophole allowing three tests – relating to toxicity and fertility – to continue until 2013 if alternatives cannot be found.