Cruelty Free International, leading organization working to end animal testing for cosmetics around the world, along with global beauty giant The Body Shop® applaud the re-introduction of the Humane Cosmetics act in the U.S. House and Senate by a bipartisan group of legislators including Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Senators Cory Brooker (D-NJ) and Rob Portman (R-OH), and Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Tony Cárdenas (D-CA).
The bill will 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.
Traditionally, cosmetics have been tested on animals to demonstrate efficacy and safety, but today companies can demonstrate product safety effectively and reliably using approved non-animal tests and combinations of existing ingredients already established as safe for human use.
Cruelty Free International Chief Executive, Michelle Thew said, “Cruelty Free International applauds this renewed effort to bring an end to animal testing for cosmetics across the United States. This will match the progress that we have made at the state level and are seeing 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.”
Nicolas Debray, President, Americas at The Body Shop said, “The Body Shop is thrilled to see the Humane Cosmetics Act re- introduced. As a leader in cruelty free beauty, we welcome this latest development and support the U.S. in ending cosmetics testing on animals. We also encourage other governments to follow suit and end animal testing for cosmetics as requested by millions of customers around the world.”
A 2019 online poll conducted by SurveyUSA for Cruelty Free International revealed that opposition to animal testing for cosmetics is strong across generations and that support for a national law prohibiting the practice is high across party lines. The poll found that nearly 8 out of 10 [79%] say that they would support 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.
Monica Engebretson, Cruelty Free International’s Head of Public Affairs for North America, added, “In a difficult political climate, this is an issue that could be a shining example of political and generational unity. Our work in several states has proven that there is an appetite for legislative action on this issue with bans already in effect in four states, others set to come into force soon, and legislation pending in New York.”
Cruelty Free International, along with The Body Shop and other European partners, led the campaign in the European Union that ended the testing of cosmetics products on animals in 2003 and of ingredients in 2009. In 2013, it outlawed the sale in Europe of new cosmetics tested on animals outside the EU, inspiring successful legislation in countries including New Zealand, India, Israel, Norway, Turkey, Vietnam, Guatemala, Australia, and Colombia.
