Mexican Senate Bans Animal Testing For Cosmetics

Mexico’s Senate has unanimously passed a new law banning animal testing for cosmetics.

That makes Mexico the 41st country to institute a ban on animal testing for beauty products — the first in North America and the third in Latin America.

Nicole Valdebenito is with ONG Te Protejo, which has worked with Human Society International since 2019 to get such legislation passed.

She credits support for the ban in part to a video called " Save Ralph," which depicts an animated “tester” bunny undergoing cosmetic testing procedures.

"That short film gave the push that was needed to advance legislation much more aggressively," she said, noting that more than 1.3 million people signed a petition for Mexico to ban animal testing after the film was released.

The new law bans all animal testing on cosmetics and their ingredients, as well as the import, manufacture or marketing of products tested on animals.

Once the law is in effect, companies will have two years to change their practices. Those found participating in animal testing after the ban is in place could be fined, jailed for up to seven days and have their premises closed down.