After years of advocacy and numerous promises, Canada has finally implemented a ban on cosmetic testing on animals.
The legislation was passed on Thursday through the Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-47). The ban not only prohibits cosmetic testing on animals but also the sale of cosmetics that rely on new animal testing data or have false or misleading labeling related to animal testing.
Jean-Yves Duclos, the Minister of Health, emphasized that such testing is cruel and unnecessary, and the government is proud to fulfill their promise to ban cosmetic animal testing and trade. This move is aimed at protecting animals and improving animal welfare in the country.
Animal rights organizations have long been pushing for a complete ban on cosmetic testing and the adoption of non-animal alternatives in Canada. The collaborative efforts of the government, industry, non-profit sector, and the public have led to what Michael Bernard, the deputy director of Humane Society International/Canada, calls “historic measures.” Canadians can now be assured that the cosmetics they purchase are cruelty-free, marking a significant milestone for animal welfare. This ban aligns Canada with more than 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, that have enacted laws to limit or ban animal testing for cosmetics.
The journey towards this ban has been a lengthy one. The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act was initially introduced in the Canadian Senate in 2015, and it took three years for the Conservative bill to pass the Senate. It received its first reading in the House of Commons in April 2019 but lapsed when the election was called that same year. However, the calls to abolish cosmetic testing on animals only grew louder. During the 2021 election campaign, the Liberal Party made a commitment to end such testing by 2023 and phase out toxicity testing on animals by 2035.
Cosmetics Alliance Canada CEO Darren Praznik expressed relief at the passing of this legislation, calling it “long overdue.” The industry has been working collaboratively with Health Canada to ensure that the ban is effective while remaining within the Canadian regulatory framework.
Instead of relying on animal testing, cosmetic manufacturers can explore alternative methods such as computer models, artificial skins, cornea models, in-vitro assays, and organs-on-chip technology. These advancements offer viable alternatives to animal testing and pave the way for a cruelty-free cosmetics industry in Canada.
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