Buchanan introduces bill prohibiting animal testing for cosmetics

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) on Monday unveiled bipartisan, bicameral legislation to substantially restrict the use of animal testing for cosmetics.

“Subjecting animals to painful experiments to test cosmetics is inhumane and entirely unnecessary,” said Rep. Buchanan, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.

Rep. Buchanan is the lead original cosponsor of the Humane Cosmetics Act of 2019, H.R. 5141 with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and four other cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ken Calvert (R-CA), to prohibit the sale or transport of any cosmetics in interstate commerce if any component of the final product was developed or manufactured using animal testing.

U.S. Sens. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Rob Portman (R-OH) also on Nov. 18 introduced companion legislation in the Senate, S. 2886, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).

“Scientific advancements have created viable alternatives to these cruel experiments, while still ensuring that cosmetic products are safe for human use,” Rep. Buchanan said. “As countries around the world work to prohibit animal testing in cosmetics, it’s time for the United States to get on board.’’

The Humane Cosmetics Act has been endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States and the Personal Care Products Council.

“Passage of the act will place the United States at the center of a worldwide shift from animal testing to cruelty-free methodologies for assuring the safety of cosmetics,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We applaud the strong bipartisanship leadership of the bill. There isn’t a measure better suited to bridge the partisan divide in Washington, D.C., these days.”