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New York Joins Battle for Cruelty-Free Cosmetics - National Humane Education Society

Paw Up! New York becomes the tenth state to put cruelty-free cosmetics legislation in place.


February 18, 2023

When you apply your cosmetics, have you ever thought about the animals suffering for you to have them? Were you aware that some of your cosmetics are tested on animals first? Many products we use as part of our daily routine are tested on animals, such as shampoos, deodorants, soaps, and lipsticks. Several states have enacted laws against this practice, and now New York State can be added as the tenth state to do so with the enactment of the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed A.5653B/S.4839B Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act into law on December 15, 2022. According to an article, nine other states that have passed similar laws are California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Since January 1, 2023, this new law now prohibits the manufacture and sale of cosmetics in New York State that have been tested on animals. If this law is not followed, a fine resulting in not more than five thousand dollars for the first violation and not more than one thousand dollars a day if continued would have to be paid. According to an article, animals suffer from chemicals being applied to their skin, injected into their bodies, and placed on their eyes in the name of vanity. These tests are no longer necessary due to scientific advancements in testing safety. Animal testing has also proven to be a tedious and costly practice that shows little relation to how a human body would react to products. 

The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act brings a sigh of relief to countless animals that could have been subjected to this outdated practice. However, still more states need to get behind not testing cosmetics on animals to make it a federal law. In the meantime, if you do not live in one of these ten states that have passed laws against testing cosmetics on animals, you can show your support by buying only cruelty-free cosmetics. The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act passing in New York brings hope for more states to follow suit.

To read more about animals in laboratories click here.

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2 responses to “New York Joins Battle for Cruelty-Free Cosmetics”

  1. Laurel says:

    Thank you Governor Hochul. The industry needs to revamp methods of testing to non animal methods. It’s 2023.

  2. Pamela Joan Olsen says:

    There is no need to test on any animals. They are not humans. I know alot of humans unable to use products allegedly tested in labs that have had allergic reactions to the medication or skin product.
    Enough already.

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