August 10, 2021
To legislators in Maryland and Maine for passing laws to reduce animal suffering by prohibiting the sale of animal-tested cosmetics.
To Oregon Representative Hudson, Representative Neron, Representative Gomburg, and Senator Patterson for sponsoring HB 3365 to end the common practice of animal testing for cosmetics.
Whether you are a minimalist when it comes to makeup, or you put on a full face of makeup every day, have you ever checked to see if your brand of choice is cruelty-free? Many consumers are becoming compassionate shoppers as the ugly truth of the extreme pain animals are subjected to, for the price of beauty, is brought to light. While restrained, these sentient creatures⚊rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice⚊endure a myriad of cruel procedures to determine possible eye irritants or skin reactions to specific ingredients. Cosmetics are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) but do not have to be approved before being sold to consumers. The FDA leaves it up to the manufacturers to test their products for safety, and they are not required to disclose how they test their products. Animal testing is not a requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act signed on June 25th in 1938.
In an effort to help consumers identify products created without harming animals, the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics was formed in 1996 and created the Leaping Bunny Program. Companies wishing to display the leaping bunny emblem on their packaging voluntarily commit to adhere to the program’s guidelines. These guidelines state that no part of the “formulation, ingredients, or finished product” was tested on animals. In order to keep the leaping bunny logo on their packaging, companies recommit to these guidelines each year.
In 2021, lawmakers in Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Maine, and Oregon advocated ending the suffering of countless animals by choosing to ban the sale of any cosmetics tested on them. Currently, all of the states, except Oregon, passed their legislation. Unfortunately, Oregon’s session adjourned before House Bill 3365 could be voted on. If passed, HB 3365 would have required manufacturers and distributors to sell cosmetics where animal testing was not employed. Any animal testing done before the enactment of the bill would have been the exception. Anyone violating HB 3365 would have faced a fine of $10,000 for a first-time offense and $2,500 for a repeat violation.
Take Action: Will you show your support to help end animal testing by purchasing cruelty-free products? Oregon residents, if you believe cosmetic companies should not test their products on animals, please reach out to your representative to have a similar bill reintroduced in 2022.