July. 3 India: India Becomes First Country in South Asia to Ban Cosmetics Animal Testing

This article is brought to you by SpecialChem.

 

India has banned animal testing for cosmetics following intense public campaigning and legislative advocacy by Humane Society International’s Be Cruelty-Free India campaign, including support from Indian Members of Parliament and State Assemblies.

 

The Bureau of Indian Standards has today approved the removal of any mention of animal tests from the country’s cosmetics standard. The use of modern non-animal alternative tests also becomes mandatory, replacing invasive tests on animals. This means that any manufacturer interested in testing new cosmetic ingredients or finished products must first seek approval from India’s Central Drug Standards Control Organisation. A manufacturer will be given approval to test only after complying with the BIS non-animal standards.

 

Indian Member of Parliament Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, said: “This is a great day for India and for the thousands of animals who will no longer suffer, yet more work must be done. Our government must go a step further by banning cosmetics products that are tested on animals abroad and then imported and sold here in India. Only then will India demonstrate its commitment to compassion and modern, non-animal research methods and truly be cruelty free.”

 

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