On Friday India become the first South Asian country to introduce a complete ban on animal testing for cosmetic products.
Over the weekend the Bureau of Indian Standards approved the removal of any mention of animals test from the country's cosmetics standard, thus ensuring the mandatory use of non-animal based tests.
The announcement was made by the Drug Controller General of India, Dr GN Singh and shortly afterwards this official statement was released:
"Any manufacturer interested in testing new cosmetic ingredients or finished products must first seek approval from India's Central Drug Standards Control Organisation. A manufacturer will be given approval to test only after complying with the BIS non-animal standards,"
The campaign to introduce the ban was endorsed by some of India's top officials and the news welcomed by Animal Welfare groups around the world.
Alokparna Sengupta, India's campaign manager for Humane Society International (HSI) said:
"This is a major victory for countless animals who will no longer be made to suffer, and it is a proud moment for India as it becomes the first country in South Asia to end cosmetics cruelty. We thank the thousands of Indian consumers, politicians and celebrities who helped to achieve this historic ban."
As yet there is not ban on selling products produced and tested outside of the country, however with any luck this will follow very soon.
For further information visit: India Today and The Times of India
No comments:
Post a Comment