Newly Amended SB 1249 Unites Animal Protection, Physicians, Labor, and Industry Groups

SACRAMENTO—Senate Bill 1249, the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, has been amended to allow an exemption for international testing requirements to continue beyond 2023, bringing the bill’s former opposition and proponents together. As amended, SB 1249 makes important gains for animal welfare and scientific standards while keeping existing products that have already been tested and proven safe for human use on California’s shelves.

The Personal Care Products Council and labor groups, formerly in opposition to the bill, have moved to support the new version, a change which unites both sides and should easily propel the bill through the Legislature.

SB 1249, authored by Senator Cathleen Galgiani and principal co-authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, would outlaw the sale of cosmetics in California that have been tested on animals or contain ingredients that have been tested on animals after 2020. Certain exemptions are provided for in the legislation, including for animal tests either required by a regulatory authority in another country, or conducted on ingredients for noncosmetic purposes, which are sometimes required by regulatory authorities here in the United States, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

While the original bill would have sunset the exemption for testing conducted to meet international regulatory requirements, this proved to be a significant sticking point. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a co-sponsor of the legislation along with Social Compassion in Legislation, and other groups plan to redouble training and scientific development efforts to increase the acceptance of nonanimal methods by foreign regulators.

“I am proud to have worked with both sponsors of the bill and cosmetic companies to craft a bill that saves animals lives,” Senator Galgiani stated. "Using animals to substantiate the safety of cosmetics is not necessary, as California and many other jurisdictions have already banned the practice where alternatives exist. SB 1249 extends that ban on products that are tested on animals outside of our borders. With support from all major stakeholders, we are ready to take SB 1249 across the finish line.”

“I'm honored to have the opportunity to present SB 1249 on the Assembly floor, which would put a ban on animal testing in cosmetics, in favor of more ethical approaches to cosmetic testing. This compromise reflects how business interests and consumer protection can go hand in hand and I commend animal rights activists and the cosmetic industry alike, as we move forward on this important legislation to protect animals and adopt cruelty-free cosmetics,” stated SB 1249 principal co-author Assemblymember Ash Kalra.

“We are still supporting this version of the bill because it will save animals’ lives,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “We have addressed the opposition’s concerns and are hopeful Governor Brown will sign this new draft into law.”

“Passing 1249 will ensure cosmetics manufacturers use effective nonanimal testing methods instead of animal tests, vastly improving the safety testing process and benefitting both industry and consumers,” said Kristie Sullivan, M.P.H., vice president of research policy for the Physicians Committee. “While work remains to address outdated regulatory requirements, the bill represents significant progress towards a cruelty-free future for animals worldwide.”

SB 1249 will be voted on by the Assembly on Friday after it becomes eligible at 1:20 p.m. 

Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) is a 501(c)4 nonprofit political advocacy organization that has been a vanguard voice sponsoring landmark legislation since its founding in 2007. SCIL's vision is to instill greater compassion into society for the protection and welfare of all animals.