“The world is moving away from cosmetics testing, with 40 nations having passed laws to end or limit cosmetic animal testing. We urge lawmakers to move swiftly and end the cruelty for good.”

Maryland is set to become the 5th US state to ban animal-tested cosmetics amid growing demand for cruelty-free products.

Lawmakers unanimously voted to pass SB 282/HB 611 – legislation that will see an end to the testing of new cosmetics as well as the sale of animal-tested cosmetics beginning July 2022.

The bill now heads to Governor Larry Hogan’s desk where he’s expected to either sign it or let the bill pass without signature.

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The move follows in the footsteps of Virginia, California, Nevada, and Illinois.

Five additional states—New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, New York and Oregon—are currently considering similar laws.

Several organizations including Humane Society US have commended the decision.

Cruelty-free demand

“The laws reflect rising consumer opinion in the United States against unnecessary testing on animals for products like shampoos, mascara, and lipstick. During these tests, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and rats have substances forced down their throats, dripped into their eyes, or smeared onto their skin before they are killed,” the charity said.

The group added that many cosmetics companies manufacturing or selling cosmetics products in Maryland, including Lush, MOM’s Organic Market, Jill Turnbull and ReNew Botanicals Skin Care sent letters to Maryland lawmakers urging them to end cosmetics testing sales and production.

“Consumers are scanning labels and demanding products free of animal testing. Cosmetics companies are listening to them and changing their practices… Lawmakers are solidifying these changes into a permanent policy,” the society further added.

‘End cruelty for good’

The Humane Society also congratulated Sen. Clarence Lam and Delegate Terri Hill who sponsored the versions of the bill in the Senate and the House of Delegates.

It then concluded: “The world is moving away from cosmetics testing, with 40 nations having passed laws to end or limit cosmetic animal testing. In the United States, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island are considering similar bans. We urge lawmakers in these and other states to move swiftly and end the cruelty for good.”

Global vegan cosmetics market

According to research firm MarketGlass, the global vegan cosmetics market will cross $21 billion by the year 2027.

The report released by them esitmates that the industry, currently worth a whopping $15.1 billion, will grow at a CAGR of 5.1% over the next seven years.

It lists China, which also recently announced the removal of its mandatory animal testing requirements for imported cosmetics products that fall into the ‘general’ category, the US, Japan, and Canada as key countries that will drive the market’s worth. 

• Read: Luxury fashion designers Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga go fur-free

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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