Urges President and Congress to enact "Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023."
Impact
If passed, the 'Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023' would prohibit all testing of cosmetics on animals and ban the sale or transport of any cosmetics that utilized animal testing in their development. This transformation would represent a major shift in U.S. cosmetics policy and could significantly reduce animal testing practices both domestically and globally. The resolution notes that many companies already comply with animal testing bans from other countries and argues that American firms would face no economic risk from such a shift in policy, given the availability of cost-effective non-animal testing methods.
Summary
Assembly Resolution No. 110 (AR110) urges the President and Congress of the United States to enact the 'Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023'. This resolution addresses the significant ethical concerns associated with animal testing in the cosmetics industry, highlighting the number of animals that suffer each year during tests designed to evaluate the safety of consumer products and their ingredients. The resolution emphasizes the existence of effective alternatives to animal testing which are already being utilized by many companies in the industry. This act aligns U.S. practices with those of over 30 countries, including the European Union and India, which have implemented similar bans on animal-tested cosmetics.
Contention
While the resolution enjoys broad bipartisan support—with endorsements from over 370 companies in the cosmetics industry—there may still be contention regarding the logistics of enforcement and compliance with international standards. Critics may express concerns about potential impacts on product safety assessments and market competition, particularly from countries that continue to mandate animal testing. Moreover, the transition might pose challenges for smaller companies that may rely more heavily on traditional testing frameworks due to cost or resource constraints.