Following the recent unanimous passing of the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, California is on its way to becoming the first state in the U.S. to fully ban the production of any and all beauty products tested on animals.
The passing of the act places sends the bill to California governor Jerry Brown’s desk for signature. If approved, the act will make it unlawful for cosmetic manufacturers to sell any cosmetic in California if the final product or any component of the product was knowingly tested on animals after January 1, 2020, with some exceptions for regulatory requirements.
“I’m proud of California lawmakers for moving science, industry, and ethics forward today,” says Senator Cathleen Galgiani (D-CA), who coauthored the bill with assembly member Ash Kalra. “Cruelty-free cosmetics are good for business, safe for humans, and don’t harm animals.”
If passed, California shoppers will no longer have to decipher through a slew of tiny symbols on packaging to ensure their choice of product wasn’t tested on animals. The included umbrella covers products like deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner, among a number of other cosmetics. Given that most manufacturers do not direct conduct tests on animals, the bill was amended several times to also focus on the legislation of manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as third parties who may test on behalf of manufacturers or their suppliers.
“This compromise reflects how business interests and consumer protection can go hand in hand, and I commend animal rights activists and the cosmetic industry alike, as we move forward on this important legislation to protect animals and adopt cruelty-free cosmetics,” says Kalra.
While it might be some time until the bill is signed and ethical buying is no longer a personal choice, Peta has compiled list of beauty brands that don’t test on animals to use as a helpful reference in the mean time.
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