The Industrial Chemicals Bills 2017, which has been passed by the Australian Senate, includes measures which would effectively prohibit reliance on new animal test data for chemicals used as ingredients in cosmetics

The Australian Senate has passed a bill effectively animal testing for chemicals used as ingredients in cosmetics.

Under the measures, which are part of the Industrial Chemicals Bills 2017, companies cannot use data gleaned from animal testing when introducing a new chemical or ingredient to the beauty sector.

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According to campaigners, the measures will also help reduce reliance on animal testing and encourage the development of non-animal methods, which is in line with the wishes of the 85 percent of Australians who say they are against the use of animals in the development of cosmetics.

'Great news for animals'

Animal welfare campaigners have welcomed the news.

"We congratulate the Australian Government, parliamentarians from across the country's political parties, citizens and consumers who have campaigned hard and the animal protection organizations that worked tirelessly to achieve this result," Cruelty Free International’s Director of Public Affairs, Kerry Postlewhite, said in a statement.

"This is great news for animals, great news for Australia and great news for moves to bring this cruel, outdated and unnecessary practice to an end globally, everywhere and forever."

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'A milestone'

"We are pleased to welcome this milestone in moving to end reliance on cruel and outdated cosmetic animal testing in Australia," Hannah Stuart, HSI Campaign Manager for #BeCrueltyFree Australia, added.

"This commitment by the Government to further restrict the use of new animal test data for cosmetic uses, and to reduce reliance on animal testing more broadly as well, come as a product of nearly three years of intensive negotiations with Humane Society International.

"Paired with the Government’s additional commitments to HSI, this ban reflects both the global trend to end cosmetics cruelty, and the will of the Australian public which opposes using animals in the development of cosmetics. We thank the Government for showing leadership on this important issue, and HSI will continue to work with them to implement the commitments and enforce a robust ban. This is a huge win for animals, consumers, and science."