In a huge progression for animal rights, Nevada has signed off legislation to ban the sale of any cosmetics which have been tested on animals.

Manufacturers will have to turn their backs on any products which use the cruel tests from January next year. The landmark ruling follows California’s lead, making Nevada the second state to introduce an outright ban.

Animal rights campaigners have celebrated the new legislation, which it is hoped will spread through America.

“Movement on the legislative front for animals is incredibly exciting. The cruelty involved in animal testing does not align with the values of most people,” activist and prominent campaigner John Oberg told Totally Vegan Buzz.

“Phasing out this cruel, outdated practice is the only way forward for a compassionate society that values the lives and dignity of some of the most vulnerable.”

For more than 50 years, animals have been used in painful tests to assess the safety of chemicals used in cosmetic products.

Today, widely available modern non-animal approaches are cheaper, faster, and better at predicting adverse human reactions, according to Cruelty Free International.

• Watch: Ricky Gervais launches into explosive anti-animal testing rant on live radio

Not only do companies have these modern tests at their disposal, they also have thousands of existing cosmetic ingredients with histories of safe use and existing safety data that can be utilized without further testing.

North America Campaign manager Monica Engebretson said: “Hundreds of successful cosmetics companies of all sizes now rely on non-animal testing methods and support globally consistent rules on this issue.

“With SB 197, Nevada can be one of the first states to match global progress and create a cruelty free cosmetics market for its citizens.”

The Nevada Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act (SB 197) was signed by Governor Steve Sisolak following its introduction by Senator Melanie Scheible, who said: “Compassion calls for eliminating testing on animals.

“Nevadans can be proud of a policy that requires cosmetics companies to phase out animal testing to continue doing business here”.

• Read: Battery hens will now be cage free in California thanks to ‘strongest animal protection legislation in the world’

What do you think of Nevada’s new legislation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Oli Gross

Oli’s career and personal ethical values both help shape his reporting of the diverse world of veganism. His background is in local newspaper and magazine journalism, and his work has included reporting court cases, celebrity interviews, business analysis, food and drink features and government legislation.

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