Australia to Ban Animal Testing of Cosmetics

Take home:

According to Australia Cosmetic regulation reform, Australia will prohibit animal testing of cosmetics from July 1^st 2018.

In line with the replacement of Australia’s overall chemical (including cosmetics) regulatory framework, (see news Australia regulation reform: “Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme” will be replaced on CL), a new statutory scheme “Australian Industrial Chemical Introduction Scheme (AICIS)” stipulates animal testing of cosmetics should be banned. After a grace period ending on July 1^st 2018, data derived from animal tests will be invalid.

Australia Federal Department of Health released the details of this ban:

1. Will align with the approach taken in the European Union(EU), thereby ensuring the ongoing protection of health, worker safety and the environment and minimal impact to business
2. Will encourage the use of data from new methods that do not rely on the use of animals, for chemicals with any industrial use (including cosmetics);
3. Will continue to allow, for chemicals with industrial use other than in cosmetics, the use of data from animal tests where necessary to protect human health and the environment;
4. Permits the submission of existing animal test data in limited circumstances where this is necessary to protect human health and the environment from known harmful effects of any chemical (including a cosmetic ingredient).