Ask your Representative to support cruelty-free cosmetics
The Humane Cosmetics Act has been reintroduced in the House of Representatives to end the use of animal testing for cosmetics in the U.S. and prohibit the sale of any cosmetic product that has been newly tested on animals.
The bill was reintroduced by a bipartisan group of legislators, U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Nanette Barragán (D-CA).
“Cosmetics testing on animals is cruel, unnecessary, and outdated, and Congress should finally put a stop to it,” said Rep. Beyer. “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.”
“Subjecting animals to painful experiments to test cosmetics is inhumane and entirely unnecessary,” said Rep. Buchanan, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. “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.”
This is an issue which unites voters across generations, genders, and political affiliations almost like no other. A 2019 poll, conducted by SurveyUSA and commissioned by Cruelty Free International, revealed that nearly 8 out of 10 [79%] of poll respondents said that they would support a federal law to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics.
When broken down by self-reported party affiliation, 83% of Democrats, 72% of Republicans, and 80% of Independents support or strongly support a law. Likewise, the poll revealed that there is no generational divide: 76% of those aged 50-64 said they are against animal testing for cosmetics, followed by 75% of those 65 and over, 72% of 34-to-49-year-olds and 65% of those aged 18-34.
We have been pushing for the passage of the Humane Cosmetics Act since its introduction in 2014, when we hosted the first Congressional briefing on the bill. Over the years, we have continued to champion the bill at federal level, building cross-party support and securing dozens of cosponsors.
The current version of the Humane Cosmetics Act closely mirrors the model state legislation we developed through key agreements with the industry. This work has contributed to 12 states passing cruelty-free cosmetics laws and played a pivotal role in shaping the passage of Canada's cruelty-free cosmetics law in 2023.
If you live in the United States, you can help by calling your US Representative and asking them to become a cosponsor of the Humane Cosmetic Act.
Find your Representative Here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
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