In a move applauded by animal rights advocates, Canada has put forth a legislation to abolish the testing of cosmetics on animals. This aligns the nation with other global entities striving to halt such practices. This policy change was revealed in a recent Tuesday press release, introducing Bill C-47, a revision to the Food and Drugs Act.
The legislation not only bans the testing of cosmetics on animals but also prohibits the sale of goods which rely on data from animal testing. According to the press release, these procedures are 'infrequently carried out in Canada.'
By doing so, Canada is joining a league of nations that have barred animal testing in cosmetics. These include the European Union, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. Besides these, 44 countries globally have enacted laws forbidding animal testing in cosmetics as verified by Humane Society International. Furthermore, ten US states have also imposed bans on the practice.
Jean-Yves Duclos, Canadian Minister of Health, acknowledged the citizens' collective voice supporting animal protection. He praised this legislative step in ensuring sensitivity towards animals while guaranteeing cruelty-free products for Canadians.
In addition to the cosmetic industry, the Canadian government, through Health Canada, is also exploring 'feasible alternatives to animal testing' in other sectors. The details of the bill emphasize on the safety validation for cosmetic products without using data derived from animal testing.
The bill first introduced in the House of Commons in April received royal assent on June 22. Historically, cosmetic testing employed ‘toxicity tests’ forcing animals to consume, inhale, or come in contact with certain chemicals. Such practices have reportedly been identified as inhumane and less effective than modern techniques like computer modeling or tests using human cells by the Humane Society International.
