Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021

Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021

This bill generally prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing, subject to civil penalties. These prohibitions begin one year after enactment.

The bill specifies exceptions to these prohibitions, including if such animal testing (1) is conducted outside the United States to comply with a foreign regulatory authority; (2) is pursuant to a specified finding that there are no nonanimal alternatives to test the safety of a potentially dangerous cosmetic product or ingredient; (3) is of a product or ingredient for a drug or device subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); or (4) is required for a noncosmetic purpose pursuant to a state, federal, or foreign regulatory authority.

Further, no animal-testing evidence may be used to establish the safety of a cosmetic product or ingredient that is regulated by the FDA after the effective date of this bill, subject to limited exceptions.

Bill 117 HR 6207, also known as the Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of ending the use of animals in cosmetic testing. The bill seeks to prohibit the testing of cosmetics on animals within the United States and also bans the sale of any cosmetic products that have been tested on animals.

The Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021 is a bipartisan effort to promote the use of alternative testing methods that do not involve animals, such as in vitro testing and computer modeling. The bill also encourages the development and use of non-animal testing methods by providing grants and funding for research in this area.

If passed, this legislation would bring the United States in line with other countries that have already banned animal testing for cosmetics, such as the European Union and India. The bill has received support from animal rights organizations, cosmetic companies, and consumers who are concerned about the welfare of animals used in testing. Overall, the Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021 aims to promote ethical and humane practices in the cosmetics industry while also encouraging innovation in alternative testing methods. It represents a step forward in the protection of animals and the promotion of cruelty-free products in the United States.