End cruelty for beauty

In another landmark victory for animals in labs, India has announced that it will implement a ban on animal testing for cosmetics, which makes it the first country in South Asia to do so.

Earlier this spring, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) moved to fast-track the removal of two final animal tests for cosmetic products from India’s safety standard, which marked the beginning of the end of acute oral toxicity (lethal poisoning) and oral mucosal irritation tests on animals that typically include rats, rabbits and hamsters who are not provided pain relief.

.....Despite the fact that reliable alternatives to animal tests are available, and the fact that hundreds of companies are successfully developing and selling vegan and truly cruelty-free products, millions of animals continue to suffer and die at the hands of companies who refuse to give up the practice for nothing more than human vanity, or really, for profits — but attitudes appear to be changing and the cosmetic testing bans enacted in Israel and the European Union reflect not only the shift in thinking, but offer proof that these tests are completely unnecessary.

“India’s decision shows the way for all countries that are still undecided about whether to ban cosmetics animal testing. Those countries should take action now, follow India’s lead and end cruelty for beauty,” said Troy Seidle, HSI’s director of research and toxicology.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/victory-india-bans-animal-testing-for-cosmetics.html#ixzz2bQnKUKMe

To find cruelty-free products already available on the international market, visit gocrueltyfree.org.

This is as the result of a petition by http://www.thepetitionsite.com/967/077/765/india-ban-cosmetic-testing-of-animals/

• signatures: 4,511

July 2, 2013 - Success!