(TRENTON) – To protect animals from abuse, Assembly Democrats Anthony Verrelli (D-Hunterdon, Mercer), Lisa Swain (D-Bergen, Passaic) and Andrew Zwicker (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset) sponsor legislation approved by the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee that would prohibit the sale or offer of sale of cosmetics that were developed or manufactured using animal testing.
Many companies no longer need to test their products on animals due to the fact that most ingredients in those products are generally recognized as safe. There are also many alternative and modern testing methods, such as the use of engineered human tissue or the use of computer models. Not only are these methods often more effective, but they are also very cost effective as well.
Currently in New Jersey, companies are not allowed to perform animal tests on products if there is a validated alternative test. The bill (A-795) would strengthen this prohibition, and not allow for new cosmetic products to be made using animal testing. There have been incentives over the years encouraging organizations to not test their products on animals, but many continue to use old practices as legal protections against potential lawsuits if a product harms a person.
Upon committee approval of the measure, Assembly members Verrelli, Swain and Zwicker issued the following joint statement:
“Animal testing for cosmetic products was instituted in the 1940s. Since then we have made many testing advancements and the procedures once used are now very outdated. We are able to ensure products are safe by using modern methods that do not include harming animals. This bill is a step toward preventing animal cruelty and still allow us to prevent harmful products from reaching consumers and store shelves.”