A major concern for the cosmetic industry is product induced skin sensitization. It is there necessary to test chemicals used in cosmetics or the finished products for the potential to cause dermal sensitization. Historically, this test has been done in animals using the mouse local lymph node assay (LLNA) or the guinea pig maximization test (GPMT). The 7th amendment to the Cosmetics Directive has called for a ban on the use of animals for standard safety testing of cosmetics and the ingredients used in cosmetics. The deadline for the skin sensitization test is scheduled to go into effect in 2013. This has prompted the development and validation of several new non-animal alternative methods. Many of these are being evaluated by ECVAM and should provide good alternative methods for the industry. This presentation will focus on providing the attendee with information on the latest non-animal alternative methods, how they work, who can perform them, how to interpret the data obtained and their strengths and weaknesses.