Indian government may impose ban on cosmetics testing on animals

The Indian government is planning to impose a blanket ban on testing cosmetics on animals, as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BSI) looks to revise the standard IS 4011; relating to the method of safety testing for cosmetics.

The move was revealed after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr G N Singh met the Indian Parliament Member and animal activist Maneka Gandhi to discuss the legislation, reported the newspaper Times of India (TOI).

Singh told TOI that several developed countries have placed rules that ban testing cosmetics on animals, and the government is currently examining them thoroughly.

"We don’t want to be cruel to animals. If other countries don’t allow it, we will also ban animal testing of cosmetics. The decision will follow a thorough examination and a strong scientific examination," Singh added.

Gandhi has also sent a letter to the DCGI giving scientific evidence supporting a ban on animal testing.

The letter states that on a priority basis, the government needs to make the nation cruelty free in terms of cosmetics testing.

Gandhi said that the European Union (EU) in its 7th amendment of the cosmetic directive has prohibited testing of finished cosmetic products from September 2004.

She also said that testing cosmetics on animals has also not been required by the USFDA. In spite of this, the BIS standards’ draft includes two painful tests on animals.

The letter also stated that "It is important that India acts. Harmonization of India’s regulation with that of Europe’s cosmetics regulation will ensure an immediate upgrade of India’s safety standards in cosmetics testing using non-animal methods."

Recently, the DCGI has planned to setting up a separate cell to monitor imports and distribution of the cosmetics.

The government has introduced a new guidelines, which states that each cosmetic category-like lipstick, mascara, tooth pastes and soaps will carry a registration fee of $250.

Violation of the rules will result in both penalty in the form of fines and jail term.