Written by Serafina Avramidou, Animal Action Greece, Animal Welfare Manager. 

Last week brought two major breakthroughs for animals across the EU – and we’re thrilled to celebrate alongside our partners and supporters! 

1. A turning point in the fight against animal testing  

On 16th June, EU lawmakers finalised the One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA) framework and its core feature – the Common Data Platform on Chemicals (CDPC). 

This may sound technical, but it’s a huge step forward in the mission to phase out animal testing in Europe. By creating a shared platform for evaluating chemical safety, the EU is committed to more ethical, reliable, and advanced non-animal methods. 

A heartfelt thank you to Greek MEP Dimitrios Tsiodras, whose role as OSOA Rapporteur was key to making this happen. This success also echoes the voices of the 1.2 million citizens who signed the Save Cruelty-Free Cosmetics initiative, calling for an end to outdated and inhumane testing practices. 

We still have a long way to go—but this is a strong signal that change is underway. 

2. Dogs and cats in the EU get a lifeline 

Just days later, on 19th June, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of stronger regulations for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. 

Here’s what the new proposal means: 

• All breeders will now be held to minimum welfare standards, including proper feeding, veterinary care, and protection from abuse. 
• Mandatory microchipping and registration for all dogs and cats—even those kept by private individuals. 
• Stronger regulation of online sales, including a system to verify sellers and clamp down on illegal trade. 
• The groundwork laid for a “positive list” of animals that can be legally kept as pets—helping stop the trade in exotic or unsuitable species. 
• And as a bonus? A ban on the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops! 

This vote brings us a step closer to dismantling illegal breeding and trade, protecting millions of animals—and saving EU citizens and shelters billions in the process. 

Celebrating collaboration and leadership 

While Animal Action Greece wasn’t directly involved in lobbying for these wins, we’re proud to stand beside organisations who were. A massive congratulations to Eurogroup for Animals, especially Iwona Mertin, Izaskun Arrieta, and the rest of the team for their tireless advocacy, and to members like FOUR PAWS, including Georgia Diamantopoulou and Joe Moran, whose voices made a real difference. 

We also acknowledge the firm and early advocacy by Marsha Dimopoulou, Greece’s former Special Secretary for the Protection of Companion Animals. Her opposition to euthanasia as a population control method helped shape the direction of the final proposals—and inspired others to follow suit. 

The road ahead 

These decisions mark real momentum for animal welfare in Europe, and we hope to see them fully adopted and enforced in the near future. As ever, we’ll continue pushing for progress here in Greece—ensuring that no animal is left behind. 

Change is possible when voices come together—and this past week proves it.