California Is Now The First State To Outlaw The Sale Of Products Tested on Animals

Jan 16, 2020 by apost team

It is now illegal to sell cosmetics tested on animals in California, the first state in the country to establish such a law.

The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act makes it unlawful for manufacturers to import for profit or sell any cosmetic that was tested on animals with a fine of $5,000 for every infraction, and an additional $1,000 for additional days that the sale of such products might continue. The bill has a broad definition of cosmetics and includes but is not limited to shampoo, conditioner, or deodorant.

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“[The bill] states that everything that’s on the shelves, anything new that comes to market shall be cruelty free,” Judie Mancuso said to WWD, who is the president of the Social Compassion in Legislation.

Her organization advocates for the welfare of animals and was a co-sponsor of the bill with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The latter is a nonprofit whose mission is dedicated to “saving and improving human and animal lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research” according to their website.

Senator Kathleen Galgiani introduced the bill in the California State Legislature and a press release on her website mentions that there are alternatives to animal testing. It notes that science has brought us 3D human skin tissues as well as high-tech computer models that can predict readily predict human reactions quicker and for a lower cost.

California is paving the way for other states to adopt cruelty-free legislation. The bill was signed by governor Jerry Brown in 2018 and inspired Nevada and Illinois to follow suit in 2019 according to WWD. The two states’ laws also went into effect at the beginning of 2020, perhaps more states will follow their lead.

This is big news for people who live in these three states! If you know somebody there, please send them this story so that they are well informed about the good news.