Bravo Canada, we've finally joined the ranks of the 42 countries that have officially banned animal testing to date. The passing of Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1, created an amendment to the Food and Drugs Act (FDA), which led to a nationwide prohibition on cosmetic animal testing. It's worth noting that animal testing had already essentially been eliminated in the Canadian cosmetics sector but, it's an important step for regulators, especially in terms of advancing other testing methods. More broadly, Health Canada is working with the international scientific and regulatory communities to implement effective alternatives to animal testing still used in other industries.
Which other countries have taken action in the cosmetics sector? Every country in the European Union, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and several states in Brazil. The US as a whole has not followed suit but some states like California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, have passed laws to outlaw the sale of animal-tested cosmetics.
Every step forward is a win for our furry friends. There's a long way to go but we're proud to be part of an industry that has taken animal testing seriously. Please continue to shop consciously by looking for Leaping Bunny or Cruelty Free certified products like ours!
