The government has introduced a draft notification that bans India from importing animal-tested cosmetics. If the ban is implemented, India will become Asia’s first animal cruelty-free cosmetics zone, said a non-governmental organisation here.

The notification is available for public consultation for 45 days after which the government will take a decision in the matter.

Humane Society International (HIS), an NGO, applauded the step by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

“With a ban on animal-tested cosmetics already in place in India, it is now time to ensure that cosmetics tested on animals in other countries are not sold in Indian shops,” Alokparna Sengupta, manager of HSI India’s ‘Be Cruelty-Free’ campaign, said.

Israel is one of the few countries that have already banned the sale of such cosmetics.