Oregon adds pressure on animal testing in cosmetics, sets precedent for other US states

07 Aug 2023 --- Animal testing legislation under the Cruelty Free Cosmetics bill has been introduced in four US states – Rhode Island, Washington, Florida and Oregon. The new rules came into force after state legislative sessions came to a close across the US.

Cruelty Free International, an organization opposing animal testing, says the legislation is in alignment with its model. State-led efforts are hailed as a catalyst to bring stakeholders to the table and accelerate the debate about cruelty-free cosmetics. 

Oregon’s governor signed the Cruelty Free Cosmetics bill into law this week, which will go into effect on January 1, 2024. Oregon is the eleventh US state to pass the law.

Against animal testing
Cruelty Free International asserts that history has shown that state activity against animal testing often leads to changes at the federal level.

Agreements reached between Cruelty Free International and Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), on early state legislation, have been adopted into the US federal Humane Cosmetics Act, which was introduced in September 2021. 

Oregon has become the eleventh state in the US to implement the Cruelty Free Cometics law.The Humane Cosmetics Act prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing, subject to civil penalties. These prohibitions begin one year after their introduction.

The conversations between the two organizations also led to similar discussions between Cruelty Free International and Cosmetics Alliance Canada. These ultimately led to the successful passage of Canada’s cosmetic animal testing ban last June.

In addition to the ban, Canada prohibits selling cosmetics relying on 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,” previously stated Jean-Yves Duclos, Canadian Minister of Health. https://www.personalcareinsights.com/news/landmark-legislation-canada-bans-animal-testing-and-trade-for-cosmetics.html

When comparing Canada to the US, Cruelty Free International argues: “Nationwide legislation in the US has failed to gain traction.”

Implementing acts 
While the US’ Modernization of Cosmetics Regulations Act of 2022 passed as part of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act – which expands the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory authority over the cosmetics industry – specific animal testing restrictions were not included.

Cruelty Free International is now advocating for the federal Humane Cosmetics Act. The organization says US citizens can push to get the act passed by calling their senators. 

“This act would harmonize restrictions on animal testing for cosmetics with Canada, and match the now 11 states that have passed cruelty free cosmetics laws,” writes Cruelty Free International. 

Last month, in recognition of similar citizen-led moves to accelerate legislative action against animal testing in cosmetics, the European Commission responded to a European Citizens’ Initiative that petitions against animal cruelty. Backed by more than a million signatures, the landmark initiative calls to end all animal experiments in the EU alongside barring the sale of animal-tested cosmetics.

EU leadership says it plans to “ultimately eliminate” animal testing for chemicals, while presenting “longer-term” proposals to reduce and phase out the use of animals in research and education.

By Sabine Waldeck