From The American Anti-Vivisection Society
http://aavs.org/
The Humane Cosmetics Act (HCA), H.R. 2790, (see bill at
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2790/text ) is a bipartisan bill that would end cosmetic animal testing by both private companies and the federal government, as well as prohibit the sale of cosmetics that are tested on animals. AND, importantly, the HCA would also cover mice and rats, who, although comprising about 95 percent of all animals in labs, are specifically excluded from the protections of the Animal Welfare Act. The bill has gained 63 cosponsors, but more are needed.
There’s no good reason to use animals in cosmetics testing, but there are many reasons to end the practice:
-It’s unnecessary because the federal government doesn’t require animal testing for cosmetics and personal care products.
-Humane testing methods are available and widely accepted.
-More than two-thirds of American voters believe that cosmetics should not be tested on animals.
-Industry supports the HCA, and 195 compassionate companies have endorsed the bill.
-More than 30 countries around the world prohibit the use of animals to test cosmetics.
Specifically, the HCA would make it illegal “to conduct or contract for cosmetic animal testing…for the purpose of developing a cosmetic for sale in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce.” The bill also includes testing cosmetic ingredients on animals. The HCA would also make it “unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or knowingly transport in interstate commerce any cosmetic if the final product or any component…was developed or manufactured using cosmetic animal testing….” A fine of as high as $10,000 could be levied for each violation.
It should be noted that the HCA defines “cosmetic animal testing” as exposure of a cosmetic or ingredient to the “skin, eyes, or other body part of a live non-human vertebrate.” Although they comprise about 95 percent of all animals used in U.S. labs, mice and rats are specifically excluded from the Animal Welfare Act definition of ‘animal,’ so researchers are not required to consider alternatives that could replace their use. However, because mice and rats are both vertebrate species, the HCA would spare these animals from this unnecessary, painful testing.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require companies to use animals to test cosmetics, and the majority of Americans support humane cosmetics and personal care products. In fact, more than two thirds of voters believe that cosmetics should not be tested on animals. More than 30 countries around the world, including all in the EU, as well as Israel and India, prohibit the use of animals to test cosmetics.
Now it’s time for the U.S. to end the use of animals to test cosmetics and their ingredients!
