Nevada one step from cleaning-up cruelty
State set to become first to prohibit outdated and unnecessary tests on animals for household cleaning products
Nevada is just one step away from becoming the first U.S. state to prohibit outdated and unnecessary tests on animals in the manufacture of household cleaning products.
Senate Bill 167 (S.B. 167) has been passed by the state Assembly and now only requires State Governor, Joe Lombardo, to either sign the bill into law, or merely not veto it.
Nevada will then require manufacturers of household cleaning products sold in the state to use available non-animal testing methods that are approved and accepted by state and federal regulatory agencies for safety assessment.
We have worked on the bill with its sponsor, Senator Melanie Scheible, to ensure animals are not used in outdated and unnecessary tests when appropriate non-animal methods are available for ensuring the safety of household cleaning products sold in Nevada.
S.B. 167 sets a clear path forward for cruelty-free product safety by requiring that, beginning in 2030, manufacturers selling household cleaning products in Nevada use non-animal testing methods approved by state and federal regulatory agencies.
Recognizing that past testing cannot be changed, the legislation applies only to future testing, ensuring retailers are not required to remove existing products from shelves and that consumers can continue purchasing the products they currently use. The bill also provides a five-year transition period for manufacturers to meet the new standards.
Senator Scheible said, “I’m proud that Nevada has been a leader in protecting animals from outdated and unnecessary testing. Back in 2019, we became the second state in the nation to ban the sale of new animal-tested cosmetics. Since then, more than a dozen states have followed our lead by passing or considering similar legislation. With S.B. 167, we are setting an example once again – this time by becoming the first state to tackle unnecessary animal testing in cleaning products.”
Our Head of Public Affairs for North America, Monica Engebretson, said, "Many people assume that once a non-animal alternative is available, animal testing stops – or at least becomes rare. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In fact, some animal tests continue or even increase despite the existence of appropriate alternatives. We know many regulatory tests are still being conducted, even though proven non-animal methods exist. Some of these outdated tests can be used for ingredients found in household cleaners – these tests are long overdue for replacement.
"These tests on animals often persist due to uncertainty around regulatory acceptance of alternatives, misconceptions that animal tests lead to faster approvals, or simply a reluctance to change long-standing practices. But these are not valid justifications for continued animal use. S.B. 167 will send a clear message: Nevada supports innovation and ethics by requiring the use of non-animal methods whenever they are available."