Victory! India Finalizes Ban on Use of Animals for Cosmetic Testing

Today is a GREAT day for animals in India. After agreeing to ban imported cosmetics that use animal testing earlier this year, India has taken the full plunge and banned animal testing for cosmetics throughout the entire country!

According to Humane Society International, India is the first country in South Asia to ban cosmetic testing on animals, so take note other countries — *cough…United States…cough* — India has set the bar for animals pretty high!

This monumental victory for lab animals comes thanks to the collaboration of HSI’s high-profile “Be Cruelty-Free” campaign that was able to convince the Drug Controller General and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that using animals for cosmetic testing was wrong.

More than 30 legislators joined together in Support of the campaign alongside policy makers and Bollywood celebrities who all wrote letters to the Healthy Ministry urging for the change in policy. And, clearly, it worked!

After a test period of 45 days, the ban has officially been finalized and goes into action as of today. The growing success of the “Be Cruely-Free” campaign is positively influencing change for lab animals across the globe, making waves in Brazil, New Zealand, Australia and the United States. While these countries have yet to take the full plunge like India, hopefully this recent victory will inspire many more in the near future!

Image source: Andy Pearce/Flickr