California sets a precedent in the US with animal testing ban

California now joins other countries that include India, Australia, Switzerland, as well as the European Union that have either banned or restricted animal testing on cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients.

With the cosmetic and personal care industry largely self-regulating in the United States, nationwide legislation and state legislation elsewhere has not made the same impact that has been seen in other parts of the world in recent years.

Bill had significant support in California​

The California bill, known as SB 1249, was authored by Senator Cathleen Galiani and co-sponsored by the Physicians Committee and Social Compassion in Legislations.

But the bill was also given high profile back up by celebrities and high profile public figures that included Alicia Silverstone, Moby and Sia, which all helped to raise the profile in the public eye.

“I’m proud of California lawmakers for moving science, industry, and ethics forward today. Cruelty-free cosmetics are good for business, safe for humans, and don’t harm animals,” ​said Senator Galiani, after the vote was made public.

California pushes national and international buttons​

California is the biggest consumer market in the U.S, by far, so the legislation is likely to have far reaching implications for the U.S. cosmetics and personal care market, as well as creating ripples internationally.

“Passing 1249 will alter testing practices across the globe,” said Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H., toxicologist and vice president of research policy for the Physicians Committee.

“The use of nonanimal testing methods available today will surge, encouraging the development of even more human-relevant testing methods—methods that are applicable to safety testing beyond the area of cosmetics.”

Colombian could be first Latin American market​

Also last week, Colombian legislators made moves that could make it the first Latin America’s first country to ban animal testing on cosmetics and personal care products if a new bill is voted into law.

The bill was introduced to the Colombian congress last week, championed by animal rights group, Animal Defenders International (ADI).

If the bill is passed, it means that Colombia will join more than 40 countries worldwide in banning animal testing on cosmetics, which currently includes all EU countries, Australia and India.