Nonanimal tests can make American cosmetic products more competitive in the international market, PCRM scientists explained at the annual Society of Toxicology meeting in Washington, D.C., in March. PCRM’s Nancy Beck, Ph.D., and Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H., explained that the European Union’s recent ban of cosmetics tested on animals has spurred the development of nonanimal testing methods.

The Safe Cosmetics Act, a bill proposed in the last Congress that will likely be re-introduced, could increase animal testing. This would conflict with the European ban on cosmetics tested on animals and could make it difficult for American cosmetics companies to export products to Europe. It could also force cruelty-free cosmetics companies to begin testing ingredients on animals. PCRM is encouraging lawmakers to follow the EU approach and ban testing of cosmetics on animals, in addition to using other strategies to efficiently and effectively assess the safety of cosmetic ingredients without using animals.

The Society of Toxicology meeting gives toxicology experts a chance to network and learn about new test methods. The American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology (ASCCT), which PCRM co-founded, had a booth at the meeting and doubled its already strong list of members.   

Learn more about ASCCT at ASCCTox.org.