“Landmark” legislation: Canada bans animal testing and trade for cosmetics

23 Jun 2023 --- After months of hints on banning cosmetics animal testing, Canada has taken the leap and passed the measures through its Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-47). In addition to the ban, the amendments will prohibit selling cosmetics relying on new animal testing data for product safety, including false or misleading labels on cosmetics tested on animals.

“Testing cosmetics on animals is both cruel and unnecessary. That is why we are proud to move forward on our promise to ban cosmetic animal testing and trade,” says Jean-Yves Duclos, Canadian Minister of Health.

“Protecting animals now and in the future is something many Canadians have been advocating for. Now, we can all be assured that cosmetics in Canada are cruelty-free, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to improve animal welfare.”

Humane Society International Canada, Animal Alliance Canada and Cruelty Free International have been working with the Canadian government for several years, pushing to ban animal testing for cosmetics in the country.

With the fruition of the efforts during “animal rights awareness week”, Canada is joining over 40 jurisdictions and major markets that have already passed laws to end or limit cosmetic animal testing or sales, shares Cruelty Free International.

“Cruelty-free makeover”
The new legislation bans the sale of cosmetics unless it can be established to be safe without using data derived from animal tests.Canada is joining over 40 jurisdictions and major markets that have already passed laws to end or limit cosmetic animal testing or sales.

“[The amendment prohibits] the conduct of a test on an animal that could cause pain, suffering or injury, whether physical or mental, to the animal if the purpose of the test is to meet a legislative requirement that relates to cosmetics; and deceptive or misleading claims, on the label of or in an advertisement for a cosmetic, with respect to testing on animals,” reads the law.

“Since this issue was first raised in Parliament through a Private Member’s Bill in the Senate in 2015, our group has met frequently to build a collaborative relationship and to align on the principles with Health Canada while ensuring the ban works within the Canadian regulatory framework. We are very pleased to see the government pass this long overdue legislation,” says Darren Praznik, president and CEO at Cosmetics Alliance Canada.

Michael Bernard, Deputy Director of Humane Society International Canada, adds: “With these historic measures to ban cosmetics animal testing and trade, Canada is getting a cruelty-free makeover.”

“Our government has listened to the millions of Canadians who want the products they buy to be cruelty-free. This legislation truly shows the great things that can happen when the government, industry, the nonprofit sector and the public work together to create a better future.”

Collaborative efforts
Lush Cosmetics and The Body Shop have been campaigning to end animal testing. Cruelty-free personal care product launches had more than 31% average annual growth between 2017 to 2021, according to data from Innova Market Insights. Europe had the most cruelty-free launches at 44% followed by North America at 27%.Animal testing on cosmetics was first raised through Private Member’s Bill in the Senate in 2015.

“By heeding the call of people across Canada, minister Duclos and Health Canada are putting Canada on the right side of history by banning this outdated practice. We have partnered with Humane Society International for over a decade. Through customer responses to our in-shop campaigning, we know that the majority’s voice has been heard,” says Brandi Halls, chief ethics officer at Lush Cosmetics North America.

Personal Care Insights previously spoke to Health Canada, the governmental department regulating cosmetics under the Food and Drugs Act, about animal testing.

“Proposed regulatory measures will be subject to broad and public consultation following the established departmental processes; therefore, no changes are expected to be finalized before August 2023,” shared Health Canada at the time.

However, the passing of the new law today was earlier than expected.

Monica Engebretson, head of public Affairs North America, Cruelty Free International, adds: “This has been a unifying issue that has earned cross-party support in Canada and will match the progress we are seeing 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.”

Hilary Lloyd, VP of marketing and corporate responsibility at The Body Shop North America, also applauds the regulatory move, crediting its partnership with Cruelty Free International. Together they delivered over 625,000 signatures to Parliament Hill in 2018, calling to ban animal testing.

It was in April when the Canadian government began laying out measures in its Budget Implementation Act that resulted in the ban’s enforcement.

By Venya Patel

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