Government bans import of animal-tested cosmetics

The ministry of health and family welfare Tuesday banned the import of cosmetics which are tested on animals.

The ban comes in the form of Rule 135-B that states: "Prohibition of import of cosmetics tested on animals. No cosmetic that has been tested on animals after the commencement of the Drugs and Cosmetics (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2014, shall be imported into the country."

It will come into effect Nov 13, 30 days from the date of notification in the Gazette of India.

The government May 4 asked for suggestions from the public and stakeholders in the matter.

With this ban, India becomes the first country in south Asia to impose such a ban and joins European Union in adopting such a rule.

The ban comes after the government prohibited testing for cosmetic products and their ingredients on animals May 23.

The move by the government has been hailed by an NGO working for animal rights.

Alokparna Sengupta, campaign manager at Humane Society International, India, said: "With today's historic ban on the import of animal-tested cosmetics, India has made history for animals in south Asia. We feel confident that if this vision is applied to other areas of product testing, this can be a defining moment in the modernisation of India's safety science, with potentially thousands more animals spared pain and suffering."