Support Three Key Bills To Save Animals
We were on Capitol Hill in Washington DC last week, to continue crucial work in building support for our three key pieces of legislation to end animal testing and help animals find loving forever homes after their release from laboratories.
Our Head of Public Affairs for North America, Monica Engebretson, and Laura Rego Alvarez, our Deputy Director of Science and Regulatory Affairs, attended a series of meetings with legislative offices on the Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences (HEARTS) Act, the Companion Animal Release from Experiments (CARE) Act, and the Humane Cosmetics Act.
Monica and Laura’s trip also coincided with the inaugural International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) Annual Meeting, of which we were a proud sponsor.
ICCS is a global initiative bringing together scientists and experts from cosmetics manufacturers and suppliers, industry and research associations, and animal protection organizations, to drive greater global awareness and confidence in animal-free science through research, education, and regulatory engagement. Cruelty Free International is a member of ICCS, with Monica a member of its Board of Directors.
The ICCS meeting was a great success, allowing experts, regulators, and industry leaders from around the globe to discuss advancements in cosmetic safety and share best practice. The meeting focused on emerging trends in ingredient safety, regulatory harmonization, and innovative testing methods.
Panel discussions covered topics such as the role of sustainability in product formulation and the importance of consumer education in promoting safe use of cosmetics. As global consumer expectations evolve, the meeting underscored the need for continuous dialogue and cooperation to ensure that cosmetic products are not only safe but also meet the diverse needs of consumers everywhere who unwaveringly demand products not tested on animals.
The Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences (HEARTS) Act will prioritize the use and development of non-animal research and testing methods in projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The Companion Animal Release from Experiments (CARE) Act will ensure that dogs, cats, and rabbits used in laboratories that receive taxpayer funding have an opportunity to be adopted into a loving home; and
The Humane Cosmetics Act will finally ban the use of animal testing for cosmetics and prohibit the sale of new animal tested cosmetics in the United States.
Monica said: “This was a vital and hugely encouraging couple of days. Collaboration and communication are vital for the global cosmetics industry to move forward and meet consumer demands for cruelty-free products. We are delighted to be part of the ICCS and help to drive this progress.
“Our meetings on Capitol Hill were also an essential part of our work to move these bills forward in 2025. Between them, they promote animal-free science, cruelty-free cosmetics and giving animals a second chance to live after they have been used in experiments funded by the National Institutes of Health. If passed, they will have a major impact on animal welfare in the United States.”
If you live in the U.S., it’s not too late to make your voice heard ahead of the November election to support a cruelty-free U.S , by supporting our three priority bills:
- Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences (HEARTS) Act
- Companion Animal Release from Experiments (CARE) Act
- Humane Cosmetics Act