CNN
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New York becomes the tenth state after the governor announced a ban on the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. Kathy Hochul signed a measure into law Thursday night.
The law, known as the New York Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, prohibits the sale and manufacture of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. It is scheduled to come into force in January 2023.
New York’s new legislation follows similar actions taken in Virginia, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, Maine, Hawaii, Nevada, Illinois and Maryland, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
“For decades, helpless animals have been subjected to cruel and painful experiments simply to create cosmetics,” said New York State Assemblyman Linda Rosenthal and Democratic state Sen. Alexandra Biaghi, who sponsored the measure. Say.
“At the same time, research methods have evolved so that inhumane testing on animals is no longer required to help companies create new mascaras or shampoos,” Rosenthal said.
The Humane Society says modern testing methods such as human cell-based tests and computer modeling can replace animal testing, which sometimes involves repeatedly force-feeding rats or dripping chemicals into the eyes of restrained rabbits.
Brian Shapiro, director of the Humane Society of New York State, said: “With the increasing popularity of non-animal testing methods and the thousands of ingredients available, there is no reason to continue to harm animals for products like shampoo, aftershave or mascara. .” in the press release.
“It is now up to Congress to pass the Humane Cosmetics Act, which sets consistent standards for ending cosmetic animal testing across the country,” he continued.
The Humane Cosmetics Act, introduced in the House of Representatives in December 2021, would ban the sale and manufacture of cosmetics tested on animals throughout the United States.
According to the Humane Society, more than 375 companies have signed legislation supporting a nationwide ban, including Walgreens, The Body Shop, Unilever, H&M and Paula’s Choice.
It’s been a landmark week for animal rights in New York. Hochul also signed legislation Thursday that would ban pet stores in the state from selling dogs, cats and rabbits starting in December 2024.
New York pet stores will have a year to comply with the new law, which will allow New Yorkers to still buy dogs from responsible breeders, according to a statement from the ASPCA.
“New York’s dogs, cats and rabbits deserve a loving home and humane treatment,” Hochul said in a release.