RSPCA Australia has called on the Coalition government, Greens and independent MPs and Senators to support the Ethical Cosmetics Bill 2016, to be introduced today by the Australian Labor Party.

RSPCA Australia’s chief scientist, Dr Bidda Jones, has called on the Minister for rural health, Senator Fiona Nash to guarantee passage of the bill, which will end the use of live animals in cosmetics testing and the sale of cosmetics tested on animals.

“This bill mirrors the stringent regulation in the EU, which also prohibits the sale of cosmetics which have been tested on animals,” Jones said.

“RSPCA Australia has been consulting with all political parties on this issue for several years, and we have overwhelming support from Australians.”

“During the RSPCA’s global makeover the world campaign, over 418,000 emails were sent by consumers to major cosmetic companies demanding an end to animal testing.”

RSPCA Australia will be approaching the Coalition in the coming weeks to argue that the Bill should have bi-partisan support.

“We know we will have the majority of Australians behind us,” said Jones.

Australians’ views were supported in November 2014, when the following multi-party motion was passed by the Australian Senate.

RSCPA urges the government to aspire to eliminate unnecessary animal test methods to evaluate safety of cosmetic products and ingredients, said Jones.

“This is one issue where everyone should agree, and party politics should be put aside.”

For information, visit http://www.rspca.org.au/.