Animal Testing
Subject
Bill S-214 (Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act) prohibits cosmetic animal testing and the sale of cosmetics developed or manufactured using animal testing. It would also prohibit the use of any existing evidence derived from animal testing to establish the safety of a cosmetic. Given the complexity of how personal care products and ingredients are regulated in Canada (under separate Cosmetic, Drug and Natural Health Product Regulations, as well as CEPA) and the global supply chain, Bill S-214 as drafted raises many legal and policy issues, does not fit with the new Self-Care Products Framework, and is not workable for industry and regulators.
Objective
CA is supportive of affirming in legislation what is today, in fact, the reality – that the use of animal testing with respect to cosmetic products is virtually non-existent in Canada. However, it is critical that any bill does not stifle future innovation or prevent the use of important new ingredients (e.g. preservatives, sunscreens) in cases where non-animal alternative test methods do not yet exist.
Strategy
CA’s strategy is to advance the passage of a workable bill that is aligned with the E.U. by engaging with Health Canada and “animal testing ban” proponents to gain consensus on the principles to be achieved and how they can be applied in the Canadian legislative and regulatory context.