Louisiana has become the ninth state to ban cosmetics cruelly tested on animals, with broad bipartisan support for this critical progress for animal welfare.
Act 712, signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards in June, prohibits within the state the sale of cosmetics that were tested on animals. Previously, the new act gained passage in the House with a 90-1 vote and in the Senate with a 28-4 vote.
The life-saving legislation comes with penalties for violators of initial fines of $1,000, plus a possible $500 additional fine per day. The provisions become effective Aug. 1.
A growing amount of research, building on already well-established studies, has proven that animal testing is cruel, wasteful, and unreliable.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice often have toxic substances and chemicals pumped into their bodies at extremely high levels to test a possible effect on humans in what are called “toxicity tests.” Others endure having those harsh ingredients dripped into their eyes or slathered into human-caused abrasions in their skin for researchers to note repercussions.
Differences in the genetics of nonhuman animals and people also mean that the observed results in animals frequently don’t translate for people – adding another layer of indignity to the innocent animals’ suffering.
The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees product testing, does not require that cosmetics or their ingredients specifically be safety tested using animals – meaning companies have a clear path to opt for more humane alternatives, while also keeping consumers safe.
Louisiana has now joined California, Nevada, Illinois, Virginia, Maryland, Hawaii, New Jersey and Maine in taking a stand against this senseless cruelty.
We are thrilled that Louisiana has recognized that sentient animals do not deserve to be subjected to the pain and terror inherent in testing cosmetics. The rest of the country needs to follow.
If you haven’t already, please sign our petition urging an end to this torture.
