Mexico is to become the first country in North America and the 41st worldwide to outlaw the testing of cosmetics on animals after a federal bill won unanimous support in the Senate
Mexico is to become the first country in North America and the 41st worldwide to outlaw the testing of cosmetics on animals after a federal bill won unanimous support in the Senate. The law also bans the import, manufacture, and marketing of cosmetics tested on animals anywhere in the world.
Over 1.3 million people signed a petition in favour of the bill, while a poll by NGOs suggested that 78% of consumers in Mexico are in favour of ‘cruelty-free’ cosmetics.
“This is a monumental step for animals, consumers and science in Mexico. This groundbreaking legislation leads the way for the Americas to become the next cruelty-free beauty market, and brings us one bunny leap closer to a global ban,” said Antón Aguilar, executive director of the Humane Society International/Mexico, which had championed the bill.
Currently, seven US states and ten Brazilian states have banned testing, while bills to the same effect are being prepared in three more in the US, as well as federal bills in both the US and Canada. The EU has long since banned testing, but there are concerns that the UK could water its commitment down now that is no longer a member state.
