U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) led a bipartisan delegation in reintroducing the Humane Cosmetics Act. The legislation would end safety testing of cosmetic products on animals and prohibit the sale of products developed using animal testing in the United States.
“Cosmetics testing on animals is cruel, unnecessary, and outdated, and Congress should finally put a stop to it,” said Rep. Beyer. “Much of the cosmetics industry has already moved to more scientifically sound methods that do not result in animal cruelty. The Humane Cosmetics Act would outlaw an obsolete and inhumane practice without damaging American businesses. I thank my colleagues for supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act, which I hope will receive swift consideration.”
“Subjecting animals to painful experiments to test cosmetics is inhumane and entirely unnecessary,” said Buchanan, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. “Scientific advancements have created viable alternatives to these cruel experiments, while still ensuring that cosmetic products are safe for human use. As countries around the world work to prohibit animal testing in cosmetics, it’s time for the United States to get on board.’’
“It's time to move past the cruel, inhumane practice of testing cosmetics on animals,” said Congressman Cárdenas. “I've been a champion for animal rights throughout my years in public service, and we've come a long way—now there are non-animal, cost-efficient research methods that we should be using instead of horrific, unacceptable tests on animals. I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in introducing this bipartisan bill to protect animals from abuse.”
“The Humane Cosmetics Act is bipartisan legislation that will protect animals from being subjected to unnecessary testing by banning the production and sale of animal-tested cosmetics,” said Rep. Calvert. “I have and will continue to advocate for the expanded use of scientific alternatives to animal testing as a way to protect animals as well as lower costs for consumers and taxpayers. I want to thank Rep. Beyer for working on this important bipartisan step to protect animals.”
“Every year in our nation, thousands of animals suffer as a result of cosmetic animal testing. This cruel practice continues even as scientific advancements have created viable alternatives that make animal testing unnecessary,” said Rep. Tonko. “Our Humane Cosmetics Act would institute national restrictions on animal testing for cosmetics, all while supporting the development and implementation of testing alternatives that will ensure the continued growth of the U.S. cosmetics industry. I’m proud to support this legislation that will restore America’s position as a world leader in cruelty-free safety methods that promote the well-being of humans and animals alike.”
The Humane Cosmetics Act is supported by a number of animal protection organizations, and by prominent industry leaders.
“Eleven states and 44 countries already slammed the door shut on new animal testing for cosmetics. In fact, the U.S. is essentially the only country in the North America that hasn’t passed legislation to end it.” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We want consumers to be safe. Non-animal tests are faster and more relevant to human health, and that’s why the Personal Care Products Council supports the bill. In this divided Congress, leadership matters and Reps. Beyer, Buchanan, Tonko, Calvert, and Cardenas should be applauded for protecting consumers and animals while promoting good science.”
Monica Engebretson, head of Public Affairs North America, Cruelty Free International, said, “Cruelty Free International applauds this renewed effort to bring an end to animal testing for cosmetics across the United States. This is a unifying issue that has earned bipartisan support and will match the progress we are seeing at the state-level and around the world as consumers, companies, regulators, and advocates come together to achieve a common goal of ensuring that animals won’t suffer for the sake of cosmetics anywhere.”
“We applaud Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), and Paul Tonko (D-NY) for driving a significant bipartisan effort that sets the stage for eliminating new cosmetics animal testing in favor of innovative, scientifically advanced safety assessments. This reintroduction builds on the decades’ long effort to promote non-animal alternatives and move closer to eliminating the need for animals in product safety testing,” said Lezlee Westine, president & CEO, Personal Care Products Council.
Senate companion legislation is expected to follow later in the session.
Text of the Humane Cosmetics Act is available here.