The Drugs Technical Advisory Board that guides the Central and state governments on technical matters relating to drugs and cosmetics in the country has recommended a ban on import of cosmetics tested on animals. However, the final regulation can come only after an amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.
In its 65th meeting held last week, the board recommended that a suitable provision may be added under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules to prohibit the import of cosmetics tested on animals abroad. This recommendation comes on the heels of the recently imposed ban on the import, marketing and sale of cosmetics and their ingredients tested on animals in the European Union and Israel. The Bureau of Indian Standards has also recently decided to remove animal tests for cosmetics.
“We commend DTAB for their recommendation which can only mean good things for animals, and good things for science. Compliance with international standards can help ensure that cruel and outdated animal tests for lipstick and eye-shadow become history around the globe,” said Chaitanya Koduri, PETA India’s science policy adviser and a member of government's Cosmetics Sectional Committee.
However, the recommendation will bring practical results only after an amendment to this effect in Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Koduri said that his organisation is also demanding a ban on animal testing of household products such as floor cleaners, and the marketing and sale of household products that have been tested on animals in India.
In a meeting in early July, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization had banned animal testing for the manufacture of cosmetics in the country https://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/india-bans-animal-testing-cosmetics. Animal rights activists had demanded a ban on imports too that time. They believe the current recommendation has taken them one step forward in their quest.
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