I. Introduction This article analyses the testing and marketing bans under the Cosmetics Directive. After a glance at the legal and factual background (II.), the analysis will then turn to the fundamental rights of Community law (III.) and demonstrate that the envisioned phase-out of animal testing on 11 March 2009 leads to a conflict with Community law (IV.). Finally, several options on how such conflict can be avoided and how a right balance between the