Canada Commits to End Animal Tox Testing While MoCRA Misses the Mark

The Canadian government has committed to end animal testing for the toxicity of chemicals, according to reports by CTVnews and animal rights organizations. Bill S-5, the "Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act," which includes banning testing for chemical toxicity in animals, received royal assent on June 13, 2023, making it official. This follows a recent move in the UK to ban the issuance of licenses for the animal testing of chemicals used as cosmetic ingredients. 

For Canada, Plant-based News projects cosmetics testing will be next, as legislators are expected to advance its federal budget bill the week of June 19. And, as previously reported, this bill proposes amendments to the Food and Drugs Act to ban animal testing for cosmetics.

Bill S-5 is reportedly an amendment to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), which policymakers use to shape federal environmental and health protection programs. CEPA helps to build programs related to the risks of various chemicals, as well as hazardous waste and pollution.

Under the new law, Canada’s government will be required to support and implement alternatives to toxicity testing in animals; e.g., computer modeling, organ-on-a-chip technology, and cell and tissue tests using human tissues. Further, the bill mandates the Ministers of Environment and Health to publish a plan in the next two years promoting such alternatives, and provide annual updates on its progress.

Cruelty-free International highlighted the anticipated move by Canadian regulators to end animal testing for cosmetics, noting, "Canada's legislation is expected to pass soon and, when it does, the United States will be the only country in North America without a national ban on animal testing for cosmetics." Mexico banned it in 2021. 

The association emphasized that U.S. federal legislation addressing this issue has failed to gain traction, even after ten states passed cruelty-free cosmetics laws. "While the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulations Act of 2022 (MoCRA) passed as part of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which expands the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory authority over the cosmetics industry, specific animal testing restrictions were not included, thus missing an opportunity to address one of the most important issues amongst the public and cosmetics users," the source stated.

In its Fact Sheet on MoCRA, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) emphasized the act did not include any specific provisions related to animal testing but notes that Congress believes manufacturers should not use animal testing for cosmetics products. "PCPC and its member companies have worked closely with key stakeholders, including Cruelty-free International and the Humane Society of the United States, to advocate for the passage of the Humane Cosmetics Act."

As of today (June 16, 2023), the only action on the bill has been its referral to the Subcommittee on Health on Dec. 10, 2021, after its initial introduction in the House the day prior.