Breaking! Maine Becomes The Sixth State In The U.S. To Ban The Sale Of Cosmetics Tested On Animals

Last week, Maine Governor Janet Mills signed legislation prohibiting the sale of cosmetics that have been newly-tested on animals. The measure, LD 1551, which specifically states that a manufacturer may not sell or offer to sell a cosmetic product that was developed or manufactured using animal testing on or after November 1st of this year, was sponsored by Maine Representative Vicki Doudera.

The new law makes Maine the sixth state in the country to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, following California, Nevada, Illinois, Virginia, and Maryland.

Animals who are experimented on for cosmetics suffer through painful testing: Rabbits have chemicals dripped into their eyes, or rubbed onto their shaved skin. Guinea pigs and mice have substances smeared onto their skin to determine allergic responses. Rats are forced to ingest large amounts of chemicals to determine the “lethal dose” that eventually causes death. Pain relief is rarely provided and the animals are killed at the end of these experiments, usually by asphyxiation, neck-breaking or decapitation.

“Not only is the practice of testing cosmetic products on animals inhumane, it is unnecessary,” Doudera said in a statement. “Cosmetics companies have the ability to use existing ingredients with a history of safe use and can choose from a wide range of new, non-animal testing methods. These new methods not only spare animal lives, but they also represent the best that science has to offer and can provide data more relevant to human exposure, ensuring that cosmetics are safe.”

Companies can already create innovative products using thousands of ingredients that have a history of safe use and do not require any additional testing. Plus, modern testing methods, such as human cell-based tests, have replaced outdated animal tests. These non-animal technologies are often faster, less expensive, and more reliable.

“Maine has now joined the growing number of states that have acted to end the needless suffering animals endure to test cosmetics,” Katie Hansberry, Maine State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, which has been working to address cosmetic testing on animals since the late 1970s, said in a statement sent to WAN. “With many new methods for product testing, there is simply no need to harm any animals for the sake of lipstick or blush. Thank you, Representative Doudera for sponsoring this bill and Governor Mills for signing this important bipartisan legislation.”

You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg