The bill does however exempt cosmetics imported from China, which under current law require to be tested on animals

'Exciting progress' (Photo: Adobe. Do not use without permission)

Nevada has become the latest state in the US to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics but will exempt products imported from China, which by law have to be tested on animals.

The Nevada Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act (SB 197), which was first introduced to state legislators in February, will take effect from January 1, 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT Thanks for watching! Visit Website

'No longer necessary or acceptable'

Senator Melanie Scheibel, who authored the bill, told Cruelty-Free International: "For more than 50 years animals have been used in painful tests for cosmetics. But science and public opinion have evolved and today it is no longer necessary or acceptable to harm animals for new cosmetics.

"The time has come to make cruel cosmetics a thing of the past and I am proud that Nevada is leading the way."

Not a 'total victory for animals'

Animal-rights organization PETA said: "While the new law is certainly exciting progress, we're not quite ready to call this one a total victory for animals," while pointing out the exemption of countries such as China.

Nevada follows in the footsteps of California, who passed a similar law against animal-testing earlier this years, that will also come into effect from January 2020.

Click here to check which companies 'never' test their products on animals