US States Exploring Cosmetic Animal-Testing Bans With Federal Movement Stalled
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
California, New York and Hawaii are considering legislation that would ban the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals or containing animal-tested ingredients. State-level action could be the impetus needed to get Congress moving on the proposed Humane Cosmetics Act.
You may also be interested in...
California’s Advancing Cosmetic Animal-Test Ban Poses Liabilities, Industry Says
Universities and other accredited labs often test cosmetic ingredients on animals to assess potential health risks without manufacturers’ involvement or even their knowledge. Under a proposed bill advancing in California, such studies could render companies that use those ingredients non-compliant and subject to fines.
European Parliament Members To Push For Global Cosmetic Animal Test Ban
At EU Parliament in Brussels, 620 MEPs vote in favor of the “diplomatic drive” for a global ban on cosmetic animal testing by 2023, with 14 voting against the measure and 18 abstaining. Europe fully banned cosmetic animal testing five years ago, but it is not banned in 80% of the world and convincing other governments to adopt a ban is a challenge given the lack of accepted non-animal alternatives for certain safety endpoints.
Industry, NGOs Still Divided On Alternative Testing With EU Ingredient Innovation Stalled
Animal groups continue to call for a global ban on cosmetic animal testing while Cosmetics Europe advises outside jurisdictions to be prudent about prohibitions, noting that ingredient innovation has grinded to a halt in the EU in recent years. There does seem to be growing agreement between the camps that alternative methods are making important progress and show great promise compared with traditional standards.