In just one week, the EU’s sweeping ban on animal testing for cosmetics and personal care products goes into effect.

"All personal care products, from high-end to drugstore brands, will be subject to the rules," and "final products cannot be tested on animals and nor can any of a given products’ ingredients."

The European ban starting March 11th is a hard-won victory impacting companies and brands worldwide, and follows two decades of campaigning by organizations such as PETA, public protests, phone calls, and more than 20,000 e-mails.

“It’s enormously important because it started out as an ethical stand—animals should not die for shampoo—and brought about a whole new era of non-animal science,” Kathy Guillermo, SVP Laboratory Investigations at PETA, told brandchannel. “This ban shows that once an animal test is rejected, scientists can and will come up with a new and better way. We need to put the same limitations on household chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.”Continue reading...

Sip in style! Evian Natural Spring Water unveils fouth annual limited edition bottle, designed by fashion legend Issey Miyake. It's available for $7.99 per bottle at evian.

Gucci launches a new interactive website, adding a touch of glamour to the world of social media.

The countdown to Christmas just got an upgrade, as Porsche unveils a $1 million advent calendar.

InStyle, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nars and Foursquare are collaborating on an interactive new promotion, allowing Saks shoppers to “check-in” at hot spots in the store and win prizes.

After the jump: Jimmy Choo, Ferragamo, Swarovski and more.Continue reading...

GM today recalled 1.5 million cars and SUVs over fire hazard fears in heated washer fluid systems. It's also easing back on planned dealership cuts.

BP buys "oil spill" and related search terms in bid to promote $1.25B clean-up operation. President Obama will make his fourth trip to the Gulf on Monday, while BP CEO Tony Hayward will testify on Capitol Hill next Thursday.

Disney is pulling the plug on its ESPN Zone branded sports bars, a source tells the L.A. Times.

Christian Lacroix designs preserved by French museum.Continue reading...