Canada has joined the growing list of countries and American states that have officially banned the testing of cosmetics on animals. The Canadian government made the announcement in a news release, stating that Bill C-47 would amend the Food and Drugs Act to prohibit both the testing of cosmetic products on animals and the sale of products that rely on animal testing data.
While acknowledging that animal testing for cosmetics is rarely conducted in Canada, the government's decision aligns Canada with other nations that have already banned such practices. The European Union, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea are among the countries that have taken steps to eliminate animal testing in the cosmetics industry.
The Humane Society International indicates that a total of 44 countries have enacted laws prohibiting cosmetic animal testing. Furthermore, within the United States, 10 states have also banned the practice, including New York, California, and Illinois.
Canadian Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos expressed pride in the decision and emphasized that the government would continue working with experts and international partners to explore safe and cruelty-free alternatives to animal testing.
"Protecting animals, now and in the future, is something that many Canadians have been calling for, and something we can all celebrate. We are proud to move forward with this measure and to assure Canadians that the products they buy are cruelty-free. We will keep working with experts and international partners to explore safe, cruelty-free alternatives so no more animals suffer and die due to cosmetic testing," the Minister stated.
The news release further revealed that Health Canada is actively searching for effective alternatives to animal testing beyond the cosmetics industry.
The ban on cosmetic testing on animals is just one of several amendments included in Bill C-47. The bill stipulates that no person can sell a cosmetic product unless its safety can be established without relying on animal testing data that may cause pain, suffering, or injury to animals. Similarly, conducting tests on animals that could inflict pain, suffering, or injury is also prohibited.
Animal testing for cosmetics has long involved subjecting animals to toxicity tests, such as ingesting or inhaling chemicals or applying them to their skin or eyes. However, the Humane Society International's Animal-Free Safety Assessment Collaboration highlights that these tests are not only unnecessarily cruel but also less effective compared to alternative methods like computer modeling or tests using human cells.
Bill C-47 was first introduced in the House of Commons in April and received royal assent on June 22, cementing Canada's commitment to cruelty-free cosmetics.
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