Animal testing - State of Play
As we turn a major leaf in the calendar, the debate on animal testing of cosmetics ingredients remains heated worldwide.
A highly publicized and controversial subject, it is the result of the meeting of high expectations in terms of consumer health and the growing tendency towards ethical considerations in the treatment of animals.
EcoMundo, always up to date on regulatory developments, offers an overview of the laws currently in place and projects under discussion around the world.
Ban Ban ongoing/No projects Europe X Norway X Israel X Sao Paulo (Brazil) X India X Turkey X New Zealand X Russia X Argentina X Brazil X United States of America X Canada X China X South Korea X Taiwan X Australia X Japan X*
*No current projects
European Union
The ban on animal testing for cosmetics has applied since the 11th of September 2004, and the ingredients and mixtures are in force since March 11, 2009.
However, the marketing ban of cosmetics using animal tests, which is applied since 2009, involved all the effects on human health with the exception of repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics. The ban on animal testing is therefore entered into force on the 11th of March 2013, regardless of the availability of alternative methods.
Norway
The ban on animal testing has been implemented simultaneously for the European Union.
Israel
Since the 1st of January 2013, the competent authorities of Israel have banned the importation, marketing and sale of cosmetic products where the manufacturing process involves experimentation on animals.
Brazil
On the 23rd of January 2014, the governor of Sao Paulo has ratified Law No. 15.316 banning cosmetic tests on animals.
Sao Paulo was the first Brazilian state to adopt the ban on animal testing of cosmetic products, both on the ingredients and on finished goods.
Nationally, the bill to ban animal testing fir cosmetics has been proposed on the 29th of September 2015. This project includes an immediate ban on tests for finished goods, and a period of 3 years for raw materials.
India
The Indian Gazette published on the 21st of May the modification of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945: “148-c. “No person shall use any animal for testing of cosmetics”.
In November 2014, the import ban on cosmetics tested on animals came into force.
Turkey
Since July 2015, Turkey has banned animal testing for cosmetics. The ban will come into force on the 15th of January 2016.
New Zealand
Since May 10th 2015, the Parliament of New Zealand introduced a section in the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 1999, which prohibits the use of animals for research or tests relating to cosmetic products. This prohibition also includes ingredients for cosmetic use.
Russia
Members of the parliament Sergey Doronin and Igor Igoshin had called for an end to animal testing fir cosmetic products and ingredients in 2020.
Argentina
Argentina proposed a bill in a two years phase to the total ban on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals within the country.
United States of America
According to the Food and Drug Association (FDA), scientifically valid alternative methods should be considered at first before using animal testing.
The bill H.R. 4148 to eliminate animal testing and the sale of cosmetics tested on animals was presented in March 2014.
Canada
On the 10th of December, a bill to ban animal experimentation has gone to the Senate for a second reading.
China
China is a notable exception to the international trend towards the band. Since June 2014, animal testing for cosmetic products (manufactured or packaged in China) are no longer required.
South Korea
South Korea announced a five-year plan to eliminate the practice in January, with nine alternative methods to animal testing validated in the country.
The bill was adopted in late 2015.
Taiwan
In April 2015, the Taiwanese Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Chinese Nationalist Party have launched a project to put an end to animal testing in the country.
Australia
A draft amendment of the Industrial Chemical Act 1989 was published on the 18th of March 2014 to introduce the ban on live animal testing for all cosmetic products and ingredients developed, manufactured, imported and/or sold in the country.
However, no date has been announced as yet.
Japan
Discussions on a ban are ongoing, but no bill has been presented yet.
Would you like to know more?
Feel free to contact EcoMundo’s experts by mail (contact@ecomundo.eu).
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