WASHINGTON, D.C. /California Newswire/ — This week, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-San Fernando Valley, Calif.) joined Reps. Martha McSally (R-AZ), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Dr. Joe Heck (R-NV) to introduce the “Humane Cosmetics Act” to end the use of animals in cosmetics testing.
“Subjecting animals to painful and inhumane testing is not who we are as a country,” said McSally. “There’s no reason to continue this cruel practice when we have cost-effective alternatives that can bring about safe products for consumers. As an animal lover and volunteer, I’m pleased to be introducing this legislation with my colleagues to take a stand against the inhumane treatment of animals.”
“It is time for us to end the painful and completely unnecessary process of testing American cosmetics on animals. Safer, more cost effective, and completely humane alternatives already exist, and the United States is in no danger of losing its role as a competitive leader in the global cosmetics industry. Now we need to ensure our place as a moral leader,” said Beyer.
John Paul DeJoria, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell® said, “Paul Mitchell is the first professional hair care brand to take a strong stance against animal testing…we just refused to do it. Since our beginning in 1980, we have been extremely proud to be cruelty free. We are honored to support the Humane Cosmetics Act to end cosmetic testing on animals in the United States.”
The Humane Cosmetics Act would phase out the use of animal-based testing for American cosmetic products, ensuring that only safe products, tested with cutting-edge technology, enter the American cosmetics market, and would eventually prohibit the sale of any cosmetics tested on animals overseas.
“Cosmetic animal testing is inhumane and unnecessary,” Heck said. “It is our obligation to pass this bipartisan legislation and protect the welfare of helpless animals. Countries across the world began banning animal testing years ago and it’s time for the United States to join them.”
“Throughout my career in both the California State Legislature and in the Los Angeles City Council I have been a strong supporter of animal rights, and I will continue the fights I have been proud to lead during my time in Washington. I am honored to introduce the Humane Cosmetics Act to continue to strengthen requirements in the cosmetics industry that will keep us on a path to securing the proper and humane treatment of animals,” said Cárdenas.
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, said, “Given the ready availability of alternatives, there is no compelling reason to continue using outdated animal testing methods that cause tremendous animal suffering. So many companies are already using non-animal tests for shampoos, makeups and other products sold around the world, and the United States can help accelerate that trend.”
“We are delighted that this landmark bill has been introduced. The European Union has proven it is possible to produce safe and humane cosmetics without using animals and has led to a global trend with countries around the world moving away from animal testing. This bill will help the United States keep up with this global progress,” said Michelle Thew, Chief Executive Cruelty Free International.
“Animal testing for cosmetic products is quickly becoming a relic of the past now that we have more reliable, cost-effective, and technologically advanced methods at our disposal. There is no need to subject millions of animals each year – most of whom are not even covered by the Animal Welfare Act – to inhumane experiments in order to test the safety of cosmetics. If the U.S. is to remain at the forefront of scientific and technological advances, then it is imperative that Congress pass this legislation,” said Cathy Liss, President, Animal Welfare Institute.
In addition to being inhumane, animal-based cosmetics testing can fail to accurately predict safety for humans.
The Humane Cosmetics Act would match U.S. law to the European Union, Israel, and India, ensuring that the American cosmetics industry can remain competitive in a changing global market, which increasingly bans the use of animals.
Canadian Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen introduced the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act this week, in partnership with the #BeCrueltyFree campaign to ban animal testing for cosmetics in Canada.
For a PDF of the bill text, click HERE: https://mcsally.house.gov/sites/mcsally.house.gov/files/Humane%20Cosmetics%20Act%20Bill%20Text%20FINAL.pdf
