Canada close to banning sale and manufacturing of animal tested cosmetics

Canada is set to align itself with the European Union to end the sale of cosmetics that uses animal testing.

Last Friday, a bill called the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, for First Reading was introduced in Parliament. The proposed legislation will ban the sale and manufacturing of animal tested cosmetics.

The Body Shop Canada, Cruelty Free International and Cosmetics Alliance Canada have been working together on amendments to address some concerns with the phrasing of Bill S-214, while maintaining its intent. This collaboration represents the leading organizations opposed to cosmetic animal testing and the Canadian cosmetics industry.

The Body Shop launched a campaign in 2017 to end the sale and manufacture of animal tested cosmetics in Canada. This campaign has brought awareness to millions of Canadians about the need to ban cosmetic animal testing through local events, marches, and grassroots activism.

Last year The Body Shop collected over 700,000 signatures from Canadians opposed to cosmetic animal testing – the largest petition in 70 years. Never one to shy away from activism, The Body Shop proudly coordinated a Pet March, and travelled to Parliament to hand-deliver the petition.

In 1989, The Body Shop became the first international beauty brand to campaign against the practice of animal testing in cosmetics. In partnership with Cruelty Free International, this action led the way to a European Union-wide ban on animal testing in 2013.

“Ending animal testing is consistent with international precedent and would align Canada with the European Union, one of the world’s largest cosmetics markets,” said Monica Engebretson, North American Campaign Manager, Cruelty Free International.

 

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Peg Fong is also in recovery from newspapers

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