Senate committee continues examination of cruelty-free cosmetics bill

OTTAWA, Oct. 4, 2017 /CNW/ - The Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will continue its examination of the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act today. Last week, Humane Society International – along with the bill's sponsor, Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen – spoke to its importance as well as to Canada's place in the global movement toward cruelty-free beauty products.

Senate Bill S-214 would prohibit not only cosmetic animal testing in Canada, but also the sale of cosmetic products or ingredients that have been newly testing elsewhere in the world. The legislation was spearheaded by Senator Stewart Olsen in consultation with Humane Society International/Canada and Animal Alliance of Canada as part of the largest campaign in history to end cosmetics animal testing and trade globally, #BeCrueltyFree.

WHAT: Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology will continue its study of Bill S-214, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (cruelty-free cosmetics).

WHEN:Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 4:15 p.m. EST

WHERE: Room 2, Victoria Building, Ottawa, ON.

WHO:Troy Seidle, Senior Director, Research & Toxicology Department – Humane Society International, is available for comment.

Facts:

• The Food and Drugs Act requires that all cosmetics sold in Canada be safe when used as intended, but does not specifically require animal testing to substantiate safety.
• Thirty-seven countries and major markets have already passed laws to end or limit cosmetic animal testing and/or sales, including the 28 member countries of the European Union, India, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and Guatemala.
• According to polling by The Strategic Counsel of behalf of Animal Alliance and HSI, 88 percent of Canadians agree that testing new cosmetics is not worth animal suffering, and 81 percent of Canadians support a national ban on animal testing of cosmetics and their ingredients.
• Over 110,000 Canadians have signed to #BeCrueltyFree petition to date.
• More than 600 cosmetic companies are certified "cruelty-free" in North America, avoiding animal testing by relying on thousands of existing ingredients already established as safe, combined with available state-of-the-art non-animal test methods.
• An ever-growing number of alternatives to animal testing have been developed with financial support from governments and industry, and accepted by regulatory authorities.

SOURCE Animal Alliance of Canada