Israel bans sale of animal-tested cosmetics

The government of Israel has implemented a ban on the sale and import of cosmetics and cleaning materials tested on animals under a law passed in 2010.

The Israeli Health Ministry said it would clamp down on importers who violate the law, but did not mention the actions that would be taken.

According to the law, the import, marketing and sale of cosmetics, toiletries or detergents that were tested on animals during the manufacturing process are banned.

Knesset Lobby for Animal Welfare head Eitan Cabel told the website haaretz.com that the government’s new law is a true revolution in the field of animal rights in Israel.

"We came a long way in the last Knesset regarding attitude changes in this matter," Cabel added.

A source in Cabel’s bureau said currently it is impossible to remove the products from the shelves that have already been sold [to retailers], but hoped there would soon be a possibility to completely prevent animal-tested cosmetics from entering into the country.

The government has already imposed a ban on animal testing for cosmetics and cleaning products from taking place within the country, under a 2007 law.

Israel’s new move will follow in the footsteps of the European Union countries, which banned the sale and import of cosmetics tested on animals in March 2004.

Israel’s import ban expressly targets products that are not intended for health purposes and also includes exceptions for products for which animal testing began before 2010.

The new law allows importers a year’s time to continue selling animal-tested products, if the importer proves that the manufacturer was unable to find any other alternative, and the Health Ministry validates the claim.

The transition period can be extended until early 2016, as per this law’s stipulation.

According to the explanatory section of the law, for developing every cosmetic or cleaning product between 2,000 and 3,000 animals are used for testing.

The law states that "the animal testing conducted in the course of cosmetics development entails causing animals great suffering and is done without painkillers."