Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act Passes in California Senate – Here’s Why We Care
What is the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act?
A legislation that will ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics throughout California by the year 2020. These items could include shampoos, deodorants and makeup, among other beauty products. The actual practice of testing those cosmetics on animals within the state has been illegal since 2000, but California would be the first state to have such a law banning the sale of products tested elsewhere. In the United States, there is no law or regulatory framework requiring these products to be tested on animals for product safety. While some countries, such as China, require animal testing for cosmetics and other products, many companies choose not to sell their products in those countries, or pursue other strategies for avoiding animal testing requirements. This bill would make it unlawful for a manufacturer to knowingly import and sell a product that has any component tested on animals after January 1, 2020.
This week, California senators voted 21 to 9 in favor of the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act. The legislation—authored by Senator Cathleen Galgiani and sponsored by organizations such as the Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) – is now onto the Assembly!
“I appreciate that Democratic and Republican senators came together to move this important policy forward,” Galgiani said. “Looking your best shouldn’t have to come at the expense of harming animals with painful eye and skin tests.”
Healthy, Safe & Humane Products:
Modern non-animal tests for cosmetics safety are accurate, efficient, and affordable. Today, modern tests for product safety that better predict human reactions are widely available, and more than 30 countries around the world now require their use. These non-animal approaches include engineered 3-D human skin tissues or other types of cells and sophisticated computer models. These methods are often cheaper or faster than animal tests as well while being more humane. These tests ensure the safety of cosmetics and their ingredients without animals, and many have been approved by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development as official Test Guidelines. In addition, companies can utilize the hundreds of thousands of ingredients for which safety data is already available.
We know that it is possible to invent, manufacture and bring to the market an entire range of products without any involvement in animal testing. The European Union ended importation and sale of any new cosmetics or ingredients that have been tested on animals in 2013. Other countries have enacted similar restrictions since then. It is time that California adopt a similar regulatory framework and extend this to other states as well.
Why HAN supports it:
Following our vision for the brand, we undoubtedly support something that will ensure the safety of every living thing. We never test on animals and we are PETA approved as well as Leaping Bunny Certified. We don’t use Carmine, Cochineal or Carminic Acid. We do not purchase ingredients from suppliers that test their products on animals.
You can make a difference:
Buy and support products that don’t test on animals. Stay educated on the relevant bills that support cruelty-free products and support the Senators behind these bills. While the Senate has passed this bill, it is now onto the Assembly with more work needing to be done to get this enacted.
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