The cosmetics and personal care industry is a science-driven and highly innovative sector which makes large investments in R&D. Large companies in our industry spend around 5% of their annual turnover (sales) on R&D (within Europe).
Assuming that all companies in the cosmetics industry spend 5% of their annual turnover on R&D, total expenditure on R&D in Europe would have totalled €2.35 billion in 2017. It should be noted that because the business model for carrying out research frequently involves a partnership (e.g. between a cosmetics manufacturer and a supplier and/or research institute), this figure is likely to be an underestimate.

There were at least 77 scientific innovation facilities in Europe in 2018 that carry out research in relation to cosmetics and personal care. Large industry players have multiple research centres that focus on product development, market research and regulatory compliance respectively.
Over 30,400 scientists are employed in the cosmetics sector in Europe, from a diverse range of disciplines including physics, microbiology, biology, toxicology, physiology, rheology, nanoscience, analytical chemistry and genetics to name a few.
By attracting and training workers with specialist skills, the cosmetics industry increases the pool of talent and skilled labour for other science-led industries – such as pharmaceuticals.

Research and Science
New Science Programme (NSP) | Not-for-Profit (NfP) Organisation Cosmetics Europe has long been committed to developing alternatives to animal testing and to accelerating their acceptance.
Our most recent research programme, the Long Range Science Strategy (LRSS), came to an end in early 2022. Following intensive work with international partners throughout 2021, in 2022 we will launch an ambitious new programme in collaboration with our partner
associations in the US, Canada and Japan.
This programme is global in reach and significantly wider in scope than previous projects.

Cosmetics Europe Science & Research – Long Range Science Strategy (LRSS)
The Long-Range Science Strategy (LRSS), Cosmetics Europe’s research programme on alternatives to animal testing, continued its successful scientific journey in 2021.
Human Health LRSS was the basis of our participation in a number of leading events throughout the year. It was on the agenda of three sessions at the European
Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing (EPAA) Skin Allergy User Forum in a crosssectorial setting. Congresses such as the World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (WC11) and the ICCR Joint Working Group for the Integrated Strategies for Safety Assessment of Cosmetic Ingredients were important opportunities to amplify LRSS accomplishments.

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By Cosmetics Europe