India enforces a stringent ban on animal-tested cosmetic products

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (GoI) has included provisions in its new Cosmetics Rules 2020 to enforce a stringent ban on animal-tested cosmetic products.

 

The new rules make it mandatory for manufacturers and importers to submit safety data using only non-animal assessment methods, with documentation demonstrating the specific methods used and the list of countries where marketing authorisation or import permission has been granted. This will be accompanied by a self-declaration, said PETA India Research Associate Dr Ankita Pandey. The animal rights organisation is hopeful that the new rules will help uphold the ban as intended by the legislators.

 

India became the first country in South Asia to not only ban the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals but also the import of cosmetics that have been tested on animals.Soon after this ban was notified by the central government, PETA India drew the government’s attention to apparent violations of this law.

 

Evidence submitted by PETA India demonstrated that cosmetics marketed by companies in India are also registered under the same name and for sale in China, where cosmetics tests on animals are allowed.

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