India applauded for its 'major achievement' at animal testing alternatives congress

The  Congress is an event that gathers scientists, policy experts, regulators, companies and animal advocates to join in a dialogue about reducing and replacing animals in research and testing. 

There the Humane Society International’s (HSI) #BeCrueltyFree campaign to end animal testing of cosmetics brought together a delegation of policy experts and regulators from across the globe, including campaign manager Alokparna Sengupta and A K Pradhan, deputy drugs controller for the Indian government for 'X-2: Cosmetics around the world', a session dedicated to ending cosmetics testing on animals.

Sengupta and Pradhan joined the HSI's experts from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, Korea and the United States, as well as regulators from Brazil, Russia, India and Canada.

Keen to see India take a leadership role​

India’s success in banning animal testing of cosmetics, it's progress toward banning the import of cosmetics animal tested abroad, as well as the government’s interest in exploring other scientifically and economically advantageous opportunities to replace this testing with alternatives, was presented to the more than 1,000 delegates.

According to Sengupta; “The Indian government made the landmark decision to ban cruel and out-dated animal testing for cosmetics following detailed negotiation with Be Cruelty-Free India and others. We are hopeful that an import ban on cosmetics tested on animals will follow shortly."​

"We are also keen to see India take a leadership role in Asia in replacing animal use in other areas of testing and medical research. ​Indian citizens, our science base and economy stand to benefit from greater investment in modern science without animals," ​adds Sengupta.

#BeCrueltyFree India is currently working with government regulatory agencies on policy reform, with scientists on the promotion of alternatives, and with other animal advocates to raise awareness about animal testing.