California Non-Animal Testing Revised Bill To Be Introduced In February
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
California legislation to ban cosmetics testing on animals is being reworked to prohibit cosmetics manufacturers and contract testing laboratories from conducting animal tests when a validated alternative is available.
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Animal testing
Murine local lymph node assay accepted by FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Product Safety Commission and Occupational Safety & Health Administration as an alternative test method for contact dermatitis, the National Institutes of Health announces Dec. 28. The mouse trials can be conducted using fewer animals in most situations, NIH says. The LLNA test also results in less stress on the mice and can be conducted within a week, compared to three to four weeks for the guinea pig test. LLNA was accepted as a viable alternative to guinea pig tests by the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of Alternative Methods in early 1999 and sent to the federal agencies for review (1"The Rose Sheet" March 29, 1999, p. 9). The assay is the first to clear the validation process
California Animal Testing Bill Withdrawn Due To Lack Of Votes
A California bill to prohibit the use of animal ocular and skin irritation assays to test cosmetics and household products was pulled by sponsor Sen. Jack O'Connell (D-Santa Barbara) after it became apparent the bill did not have enough votes to pass committee.
California animal testing
Senator Jack O'Connell (D-Santa Barbara) introduces SB 777 Feb 24 to prohibit manufacturers from using the ocular or skin irritant assays on animals to test cosmetics or household products. The tests are "unnecessary for the testing of cosmetics," and are "therefore cruel to animals," the bill states. SB 777 also encourages the use of alternatives to in vivo tests "whenever possible." Any violation will result in a $2,000 fine. The bill had been introduced in two prior sessions, but was vetoed by Republican governors. With the recent appointment of Democrat Gray Davis to the governor's mansion and increased education about the subject, the bill could have an increased chance of passing this session