Another great step towards nationwide change
We are celebrating news from the US as Virginia joins California, Nevada, and Illinois in ending the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics!
Introduced by Senator Jennifer Boysko and Delegate Kaye Kory and signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam, the Virginia Humane Cosmetics Act will prohibit the sale after January 1, 2022 of any cosmetics tested on animals.
This is the second time the Virginia legislature has taken action to restrict animal testing in favor of humane alternatives. In 2018, a bill in Virginia was signed into law to stop state testing facilities performing animal tests for cosmetics and household products when there is an approved non-animal test method available.
Virginia legislators have been at the forefront of federal legislation too. In 2013, Virginia Congressman, Jim Moran, introduced the first federal Humane Cosmetics Act, and his successor, Congressman Don Beyer, championed the legislation with support across Congress and across party lines.
Monica Engebretson, our Head of Public Affairs in North America, said: “We are delighted that Virginia has continued to be a national leader in ending animal testing for cosmetics. This is a significant step not just for Virginia but for the entire US.
“History shows state activity leads to changes at federal level. The new law will help push the US to finally pass the federal Humane Cosmetics Act. We are thankful to Senator Boysko and Delegate Kory for their amazing leadership, for the bipartisan support from Virginia legislators and to Governor Northam for signing Humane Cosmetics into law.”
