New York Becomes Latest State To Ban Cosmetics That Have Been Tested On Animals
Following the ban on the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits at pet stores throughout the city, New York has now become the 10th state in America to prohibit the testing of cosmetics on animals.
Dubbed the New York Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, the new legislation will no longer allow businesses to sell or manufacture cosmetics that have been tested on animals from January 2023.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, New York is the latest in a series of states to enact such a law, joining the likes of Virginia, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, Maine, Hawaii, Nevada, Illinois, and Maryland.
Heartbreakingly, animal testing is still rife within the cosmetics industry, with many rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and rats forced to go through grueling trials.
For example, as per the site, rabbits have chemicals dripped into their eyes or rubbed into their skin to test efficacy and safety, while rats are forced to ingest large amounts of chemicals in order to find out the “lethal dose.”
VICTORY🎉: New York just banned the sale of cosmetics tested on animals!
— The Humane Society of the United States (@HumaneSociety) December 17, 2022
We’re proud to have worked with Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Alessandra Biaggi to help New York confront the unnecessary cruelty of cosmetics animal testing. pic.twitter.com/wHrC1bbnWs
“With the increasing availability of non-animal test methods and thousands of existing ingredients, there is no excuse to continue harming animals for the sake of products such as shampoo, aftershave, or mascara,” says Brian Shapiro, the society’s New York State Director.
Thankfully, it seems the tide is turning away from animal testing, even among consumers who are now more aware of the practice. As per the New York Assembly, a 2015 Nielsen survey indicated consumers cared most about the “not tested on animals” claim when purchasing a new product.
Assemblymember Linda B Rosenthal, who signed the bill, says the common adage “beauty is pain” should not be applied to animals, and that in this day and age, “science no longer supports the idea that animals must be abused to create cosmetic products.”
Another win for animals of New York State! ðŸ¾ðŸŽ‰@GovKathyHochul has signed the #CrueltyFreeCosmetics Act, my bill ending the manufacture & sale of cosmetic products in NYS that have been tested on animals.
— Linda B. Rosenthal “the #OriginalRosenthal” (@LindaBRosenthal) December 16, 2022
Animals will no longer face cruel & painful experiments for our vanity. pic.twitter.com/QS2kqBc6kE
[via CNN and Humane Society of the United States, cover image via Elnur | Dreamstime.com]
