Another U.S. state has joined the fight against animal testing.
New York is now the tenth U.S. state to ban the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals.
The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act prohibits the manufacture and sale of cosmetics in New York State that have been tested on animals. The law will begin in January 2023.
"For decades, helpless animals have been subjected to cruel and painful experiments simply for the creation of cosmetic product. At the same time, research methods have evolved, rendering unnecessary the requirement that animals undergo inhumane tests to help companies create a new mascara or shampoo," State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said in a statement. "The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act is the final step in ensuring that New York State is free of cosmetics tested on animals for our own vanity."
New York will join California, Nevada, Illinois, Hawaii, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, Virginia, and Louisiana in the ban.
Tests on animals often involve applying chemicals and ingredients to an animals' skin or in their eyes, or in some cases, even force-feeding chemicals to an animal to observe the internal reaction. These tests regularly result in swelling, burns, lesions, ulcers, blindness and even death for the animals involved, Rosenthal said.
"The old adage that 'beauty is pain' should never have applied to animals," Rosenthal added. "Science no longer supports the idea that animals must be abused to create cosmetic products."
In December 2021, the federal Humane Cosmetics Act -- legislation to prohibit cosmetics animal testing and the sale of animal-tested cosmetics nationwide -- was reintroduced in the U.S. House. Since then, lawmakers have taken no further action on the bill, which has been referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
"Congress must bring an end to the cruel and outdated practice of animal testing," Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who reintroduced the bill, said in a statement. "Advances in the cosmetics industry have already made the process unnecessary by offering safer and more scientifically sound methods. By passing the Humane Cosmetics Act, we are outlawing an obsolete and inhumane practice without damaging American businesses."
More than 375 companies have signed on to support the legislation for a nationwide ban, according to the Humane Society.
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