This week, Australia’s Senate passed the Industrial Chemicals Bill 2017, effectively banning cosmetic animal testing nationwide. The bill was first introduced by the House of Representatives in June 2017 and supported by animal-rights group Humane Society International (HSI). “We are pleased to welcome this milestone in moving to end reliance on cruel and outdated cosmetic animal testing in Australia,” Hannah Stuart, HSI campaign manager for #BeCrueltyFree Australia, said. “This week’s commitments by the government to further restrict the use of new animal test data for cosmetic uses, and to reduce reliance on animal testing more broadly as well, come as a product of nearly three years of intensive negotiations with Humane Society International.” HSI worked with the Australian government to ensure that 11 reinforcement measures are put in place to assure that every ingredient is covered under the animal-testing ban. Moving forward, Australia’s government will no longer accept animal testing as proof of safety or efficiency of cosmetic ingredients or products. Instead, HSI will work with the government to develop non-animal based testing methods. “We thank the government for showing leadership on this important issue, and HSI will continue to work with them to implement the commitments and enforce a robust ban,” Stuart said. “This is a huge win for animals, consumers, and science.” Worldwide, recent legislation has made it more difficult for companies that continue to test on animals to sell their products, including in California where the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act will prohibit the sale of products tested on animals after January 1, 2020.

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