Australia to Ban Sale of Imported Animal Tested Cosmetics

Key info:

• From July next year the testing of cosmetic ingredients on animals in Australia and the sale of imported animal tested cosmetics and ingredients will be banned.

The Federal Government pledged to phase out the cosmetics cruelty. From July next year the testing of cosmetic ingredients on animals in Australia and the sale of cosmetic products and ingredients that have been tested on animals outside of Australia will be banned.

However, the ban is only applicable for new cosmetics. Existing brands and products won’t be removed from sale. Animal testing for medicinal clinical trials, medicinal drug development and medicinal studies can be conducted as always.

Although it’s a breaking move, a legislative sales ban is expected. “Without a legislative sales ban there is nothing to prevent cosmetics animal testing taking place here in Australia, or overseas during development of products sold in our shops. Such bans are already in place across the European Union, Israel and India, and there is now growing worldwide momentum towards ending the marketing of cruel cosmetics. A similar legislative ban in Australia will be good for animals, consumers and science, and it’s what the overwhelming majority of Australian citizens want.” Hannah Stuart, for the #BeCrueltyFree Australia campaign, said.