The European Union is set to ban most new cosmetics tested on animals from 2009 and stop their import into the bloc under a deal thrashed out by lawmakers and EU governments.
But animal rights groups are angry that some tests, which they called the most harmful, would be allowed for longer.
"The ban on testing of cosmetic products on animals within the EU is in itself a great win for animal welfare," Danish Environment Minister Hans Christian Schmidt, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said in a statement on Thursday.
"But to prevent import into the Community of products that are tested in third countries, it was also very important that agreement was reached on the ban on marketing," he added.
Many cosmetics, from hand creams to lipsticks and perfumes, are tested for a wide range of side effects. Some tests can be done in test tubes, but scientists often use animals to check for dangers such as cancer or allergic reaction.
Parliament and EU states had been split on when the ban should come into force and only reached agreement after a 12-hour session of talks. The deal must now be formally approved by the full European Parliament and member states.
New products tested on animals for which alternative tests are available will be banned six years after the law comes into force. This is expected next year, so the ban will be implemented from 2009.