Testing cosmetic or any product on animals is cruel and unnecessary. Animals have feeling and should not have to endure pain to test if a product is safe for humans. More and more companies are seeing that consumers are taking a stand to protect animals. They want to buy products that were not tested on animals.

The California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, Senate Bill 1249, would prohibit cosmetic manufactures from selling a product that was tested at any stage on animals in the state of California. The bill was unanimously passed by California State Assembly!

The bill passed 80-0 and is now awaiting the signature of Governor Jerry Brown. Once it is signed, the bill will go into effect January 1, 2020. “This historic bill will save thousands of animals every year,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “It’s truly inspirational to see industry, animal protection, science advocates, and legislators working together to achieve this honorable objective.”

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Human Society International (HSI) have an ongoing campaign, #BeCrueltyFree, to end cosmetic testing worldwide. The campaign raises awareness of the suffering rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals go through to test shampoo and other cosmetic products. The campaign is working with more and more countries and states banning the inhumane testing on animals.

California would join the European Union, Switzerland, India, Israel, and Guatemala in places that have banned animal testing for cosmetic products.

“Passing 1249 will alter testing practices across the globe,” said Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H., vice president of research policy for the Physicians Committee. “The use of non-animal testing methods available today will surge, encouraging the development of even more human-relevant testing methods—methods that are applicable to safety testing beyond the area of cosmetics.”

Be sure to research the brand of cosmetic products you use to guarantee they are cruelty free. Look for the cruelty-free Leaping Bunny on the back of products. You can shop from the approved list of brands that are all certified cruelty-free. There is no reason animals have to suffer.