Carroll Legislation to Ban Sale of Animal-Tested Cosmetics Passes Senate, Heads to Governor’s Desk

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook, has led the fight to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics in Illinois through new legislation he recently passed out of both the Illinois House of Representatives and state Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. His measure now heads to Gov. Pritzker for consideration.

“Not only do antiquated animal testing methods cause needless pain and trauma for animals, but as technology has continued to evolve, alternative product safety testing methods have become more reliable and cost-effective than animal testing,” said Carroll. “My legislation will give companies a push to adapt to scientific progress by encouraging the use of new methods, like chemical tests or computer models, which have been proven to be more accurate and efficient.”

Carroll is sponsoring Senate Bill 241, which will prohibit the sale of animal-tested cosmetics and other products in Illinois by 2020. Currently, there is very little regulation on animal testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and specific tests to demonstrate the safety of individual cosmetic products or their ingredients are not mandated. If signed into law, Carroll’s measure would make Illinois the fifth state to outlaw the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, and the first state in the Midwest to do so.  

“By passing this legislation, Illinois is standing up to say that testing on animals is wrong, especially when there are more efficient, cost-effective testing alternatives available,” Carroll continued. “I am calling on the governor to sign this legislation to put an end to this cruelty, and promote the fair, humane treatment of animals.”