Updated bill renews effort to end cosmetic animal testing and trade in the United States
A refreshed version of the Humane Cosmetic Act was this week reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan group of legislators including Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Ken Calvert (R-CA).
As with past bills of the same name, the renewed version would end the use of animal-based testing for cosmetics in the U.S. and prohibit the sale of any cosmetic product that has been tested on animals after the date of enactment. The bill language has been streamlined to retain the most crucial aspect of the bill while improving its chances of passage. The US is now the only country in North America without a national ban on animal testing for cosmetics, after Canada passed a ban earlier this year. Previously, Mexico passed a ban in September 2021.
Rep Beyer, of Virginia’s 8th District, said, “Cosmetics testing on animals is cruel, unnecessary, and outdated, and Congress should finally put a stop to it. Much of the cosmetics industry has already moved to more scientifically sound methods that do not result in animal cruelty. The Humane Cosmetics Act would outlaw an obsolete and inhumane practice without damaging American businesses. I thank my colleagues for supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act, which I hope will receive swift consideration.”
Rep Buchanan, of Florida’s 16th District, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, said, “Subjecting animals to painful experiments to test cosmetics is inhumane and entirely unnecessary. Scientific advancements have created viable alternatives to these cruel experiments, while still ensuring that cosmetic products are safe for human use. As countries around the world work to prohibit animal testing in cosmetics, it’s time for the United States to get on board.’’
Our Head of Public Affairs North America, Monica Engebretson, said, “Cruelty Free International applauds this renewed effort to bring an end to animal testing for cosmetics across the United States. This is a unifying issue that has earned bipartisan support and will match the progress we are seeing at the state-level and around the world as consumers, companies, regulators, and advocates come together to achieve a common goal of ensuring that animals won’t suffer for the sake of cosmetics anywhere.
“The renewed Humane Cosmetics Act is even more closely aligned with the model state legislation that we pioneered after reaching key agreements with industry, which resulted in 11 states passing cruelty free cosmetics legislation and helped inform the way forward for the passage of Canada’s cruelty free cosmetics law earlier this year.”
Our 2019 online poll, conducted by SurveyUSA, revealed that opposition to animal testing for cosmetics is strong across generations and that support for a national law prohibiting the practice was high across party lines. The poll found that nearly 8 out of 10 [79%] supported a federal law that would prohibit animal testing for cosmetics. When broken down by self-reported party affiliation, the poll shows high support across party lines with 83% Democrat, 72% Republican, and 80% of Independents “supporting” or “strongly supporting” a federal ban.
The poll also revealed that the desire to end animal testing for cosmetics is a value shared across generations with Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers equally passionate about the issue.
In a difficult political climate, this is an issue that could be a shining example of political and generational unity.
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