Illinois becomes the third state to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, joining California and Nevada as well as over 30 other countries around the globe. Signed into law on 9 August 2019, bill SB 241 forbids the sale or import of cosmetics manufactured or developed using animal testing after 1 January 2020.
The legislation specifies certain situations in which the ban does not apply, such as cases in which testing is required to substantiate a specific human health concern and there are no approved non-animal alternatives. Exemptions also apply in situations where products are tested on animals in order to meet requirements imposed by state, federal, or international regulatory bodies, when certain conditions are satisfied.
The ban does not apply to animal testing conducted on cosmetics or ingredients if the testing took place before the effective date of the bill.
Violators will be subject to an initial fine of $5000, plus $1000 for each day that the violation continues.
As more approved cruelty-free testing alternatives become available, we look forward to continued momentum in the reform of international laws relating to animal testing, leading to the reduction of unnecessary animal suffering.
