The Body Shop joins us in celebrating introduction of new Humane Cosmetics Act
Today we are very excited to applaud the introduction of the new Humane Cosmetics Act in the US Senate and House which could mean the beginning of the end for animal testing for cosmetics in the US.
The bill, introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators led by Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) in the Senate along with Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). In the House the bill was led by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) along with Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Ken Calvert (R-CA), and Tony Cárdenas (D-CA).
The bills would ensure that companies in the United States end the use of animal tests for cosmetics. If the bill is enacted, it would also mean that selling cosmetics newly tested on animals would be prohibited.
The new Humane Cosmetics Act follows on from the work that Cruelty Free International has been doing in states across the US to bring animal testing for cosmetics to an end, and on the amazing 8.3 million signatures we collected with The Body Shop from people all over the world who want this outdated practice to end.
Our recent poll, conducted by SurveyUSA, showed that almost eight out of ten of US adults would back a federal law to end the use of animals in testing for cosmetics.
Our Chief Executive, Michelle Thew said, “We applaud this renewed effort to bring an end to animal testing for cosmetics across the United States that will match the progress that we are seeing around the world as consumers, companies, regulators and advocates come together to achieve a common goal of ensuring that animals won’t suffer for the sake of cosmetics anywhere.”
Jessie Macneil-Brown, Head of Global Activism for The Body Shop said, "The Body Shop is thrilled to see the new Humane Cosmetics Act introduced to the Senate and House today. For over 30 years, The Body Shop has been campaigning to ban animal testing in cosmetics and we're immensely proud of the impact we have made, together with Cruelty Free International, in changing the law in the EU. As a leader in the global beauty industry, we welcome this latest development and support the U.S. in ending cosmetics testing on animals. This new Humane Cosmetics Act would help harmonize international laws on this issue which we know millions of customers around the world support. It is good for animals, it is good for business, it’s good for everyone!”
If you live in the US you can help by contacting your US Senator and asking them to support the Humane Cosmetics Act. You can also call your Senator’s office to leave a brief message telling them to sign on as a cosponsor (phone the U.S. Capitol Switchboard on (202) 224-3121) and help promote the bill on social media with hashtags #HumaneCosmeticsActNow and #CrueltyFreeUSA.