Speak Up About Animal Testing in Cosmetics

Speak Up About Animal Testing in Cosmetics

As committed pet owners and lovers, we work hard to make sure our companion animals receive the very best that humans have to offer: nutritious food, adequate shelter, comfortable bedding, thorough grooming, regular exercise and plenty of cuddles.

Sadly, not all animals receive the same loving treatment from their human counterparts. Every year thousands of animals in laboratories around the world experience the very worst that humans have to offer: invasive and painful procedures for the sake of the human beauty industry.

Testing cosmetic products and ingredients on animals is both ethically unacceptable and unnecessary, with a large number of existing ingredients already certified safe for human use, and approved tests available to the industry which do not require testing to be carried out on animals.

While legislation prevents cosmetic testing from taking place within Australian laboratories, many products and ingredients that have been tested on animals around the world still find their way on to Australian shores and into Australian stores, shopping trolleys and homes.

Public and political support to put an end to cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients tested on animals is strengthening across the globe. Bans on animal testing have already been enacted by the EU, and China and the United States are in the process of developing similar legislation.

Potential change is also afoot here at home. The Australian Greens introduced the End Cruel Cosmetics Bill 2014 to Federal Parliament earlier this year, while the Australian Labor Party has instigated a national consultation on phasing out the importation, manufacture, sale and advertising of cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients tested on animals. The consultation process is open to all Australian with written submissions due by 29 August 2014

Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA) acknowledges political commitment to this critical animal welfare issue and strongly supports a ban on the importation, manufacture, sale and advertising of cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients tested on animals.

Animals can’t speak up for themselves – but we can stand up and speak on their behalf.

TAKE ACTION and make a contribution to the Cosmetics & Animal Testing Policy Consultation today. Hurry, you only have to 29 August to have your voice heard.