
A new law which bans the sale of any cosmetics which have been tested on animals has come into force in California.
The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act prohibits retailers from selling any cosmetics which have been tested on animals after January 1, 2020.
The legislation was sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and is seen as groundbreaking progress for animal rights.
Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, said: “We are proud to have led the effort to pass this monumental law.
“Animal testing is not needed to prove the safety of cosmetics and personal hygiene products, and this new law codifies that scientific fact.
“We must modernize and get rid of these antiquated protocols and stop torturing poor innocent animals. Once again, our great state of California is a leader on such important smart and compassionate animal rights issues.”
Influential
Activists hope the legislation will influence other states across the US to follow suit, and Nevada also announced a plan to ban cosmetics tested on animals last year.
Kristie Sullivan, MPH, vice president of research policy for the Physicians Committee, said in a statement: “This law will ensure safer cosmetics as well as other chemicals and products, as it requires manufacturers to certify safety of their ingredients using modern, non-animal testing methods.”
‘Progress’
“We are very proud that our efforts have spurred progress that affects not just California, but the global cosmetics market, and establishes a new standard of animal-free safety testing.”
The law does allow for a few exemptions, such as when animal tests are required by a regulatory body in another country, and when ingredients are tested for non-cosmetic purposes.
“It was a long and tough fight, but we were ultimately successful in ensuring that California provides a real and verifiable cruelty-free cosmetic market,” Senator Cathleen Galgiani said of the legislation.
“Inaction at the federal level compelled California to lead the way in banning the sale of cosmetics that were tested on animals. SB 1249 brings California’s humane standards in line with the world’s highest. And it says clearly that you shouldn’t have to hurt an animal in order to look your best.”
Global movement
Animal testing for cosmetics products has been increasingly under fire in recent years, and attitudes are changing across the globe.
Last year China announced it will no longer use post-market animal tests for cosmetic products in a landmark ruling.
The Gansu Province National Medical Products Association announced the country will bring an end to a practice in which all finished products which are already on the market, both imported and domestic, are tested on animals.
Cruelty Free International welcomed the landmark decision. Chief executive Michelle Thew said: “This assurance by the Chinese authorities that post-market animal testing is now not normal practice is an enormous step in the right direction and most welcome.
“We hope that this will pave the way to actual legislative change that will benefit cruelty-free companies and the Chinese consumer as well as many thousands of animals.”
Will other states follow California’s lead? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
Tobey Maguire often speaks about veganism and animal issues. Tobey Maguire, the actor best known for playing Spider-Man in the Sam Raimi trilogy, is a vegan. He has been a vegetarian since 1992 and became a vegan in 2009. A lifelong commitment to animal rights Maguire’s decision to go vegan was motivated by his love …
Continue reading “Is Tobey Maguire vegan? Here’s what we know”
Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th August 2023
The number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based industry increased by almost a third from April to July 2023, GlobalData reported. The plant-based food industry is booming, and this is reflected in the number of job openings in the sector. According to data from GlobalData, the number of open jobs advertised in the plant-based …
Continue reading “Plant-based food jobs surge with 32% growth in just 3 months”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …