Canada Intends to Ban Animal Testing for Cosmetics

Reports by CTVnews and animal rights organizations indicate that the Canadian government has committed to putting an end to animal testing for chemical toxicity.

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CTVnews and animal rights organizations have reported that the Canadian government has pledged to terminate animal testing for chemical toxicity. The "Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act," also known as Bill S-5, which includes the ban on animal testing for chemical toxicity, received royal assent on June 13, 2023, making it official.

This follows a recent decision in the UK to prohibit the issuance of licenses for animal testing of chemicals used as cosmetic ingredients.

Plant-based News has projected that the next step for Canada would be to ban animal testing for cosmetics, as legislators are expected to move forward with the federal budget bill during the week of June 19. As previously reported, this bill includes proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act to prohibit animal testing for cosmetics.

Bill S-5 is an amendment to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of 1999 (CEPA). CEPA is a law that sets out the framework for protecting the environment and human health in Canada. It provides the Canadian government with the authority to regulate and manage toxic substances, hazardous waste, air and water pollution, and other environmental risks. Policymakers use CEPA to shape federal environmental and health protection programs and to develop regulations related to the risks of various chemicals. Bill S-5 seeks to amend CEPA to ban animal testing for chemical toxicity, aligning with the Canadian government's commitment to end animal testing.

The new law in Canada will require the government to promote and implement alternatives to animal testing for toxicity. These alternatives include computer modeling, organ-on-a-chip technology, and cell and tissue tests using human tissues. The bill also mandates the Ministers of Environment and Health to create a plan within the next two years promoting these alternatives and provide yearly updates on their progress.