Buchanan, Beyer Introduce Bill to End Cosmetic Testing on Animals

Statement

U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Don Beyer (D-VA) Monday introduced the Humane Cosmetics Act to end painful and deadly experiments on animals in the testing of cosmetics.

The bill would prohibit the sale or transport of any cosmetics in interstate commerce if any component of the final product was developed or manufactured using animal testing.

"Subjecting animals to painful experiments to test cosmetics is inhumane and entirely unnecessary," said Buchanan, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.

At least 37 other nations have already passed laws restricting such experiments.

"Scientific advancements have created viable alternatives to these cruel experiments, while still ensuring that cosmetic products are safe for human use," Buchanan said. "As countries around the world work to prohibit animal testing in cosmetics, it's time for the United States to get on board.''

"Cosmetics testing on animals is painful and cruel, the practice is obsolete, and Congress should end it," said Beyer. "The cosmetics industry already has safer, better testing methods that do not harm animals, so passing this bill would show moral leadership without detriment to American businesses. I thank my colleagues in both parties and chambers for their support of the Humane Cosmetics Act, which I hope will receive swift consideration."

The Humane Cosmetics Act has been endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States and the Personal Care Products Council. Sens. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"Some thirty years in the making, the partnership between the Humane Society Legislative Fund and Personal Care Products Council to support the Humane Cosmetics Act is a remarkable milestone in the fight to end new animal testing for cosmetics," said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We applaud the strong bipartisanship leadership of the bill by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY). Passage of the Act will place the United States at the center of a worldwide shift from animal testing to cruelty-free methodologies for assuring the safety of cosmetics. There isn't a measure better suited to bridge the partisan divide in Washington, D.C., these days."

"For nearly four decades, beauty companies have been at the forefront in reducing the use of animals in product safety testing. We are proud to support the Humane Cosmetics Act that takes us closer to eliminating new cosmetics animal testing and promoting recognition and acceptance of alternative approaches," said Lezlee Westine, president and CEO of the Personal Care Products Council.

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