Helpline to tipoff against illegal animal testing for cosmetics  

If you see it, report it - is what Humane Society International is encouraging people to do as part of its campaign to report illegal animal testing for cosmetics.

The animal protection organization has launched a national tipoff line as part of its #BeCrueltyFree campaign, where callers can dial +91 767-492-2044 and report suspected illegal testing on animals for cosmetics. They also offer a Rs 25,000 reward for information leading to prosecution and conviction, a note from Humane Society Internation (HSI) said.

The campaign follows-up on India’s move last year to introduce a nationwide ban on animal testing for cosmetics, be it on ingredients or final products.

HSI (India) said in a statement that many companies may not be fully aware of the ban, and illegal cosmetics animal testing may be going unnoticed.

Against this backdrop, the animal protection group introduced a phone number for callers to report suspected illegal activities in cosmetics testing facilities.

Alokparna Sengupta, HSI (India) #BeCrueltyFree campaign manager said in the statement that the `tip line’ to combat illegal animal testing for cosmetics would help the Health Ministry and the regulatory Drug Controller General to implement India’s historic ban.

“Testing cosmetics on animals has been outlawed because it is cruel and unnecessary, so we encourage anyone who has any information on any sort of animal testing for cosmetics taking place in any part of India to call us and we will work with the DCGI to make sure it stops immediately. India is rightly proud of this test ban, so callers will be doing a great service to animals and India, and we assure them the identity of all callers will remain strictly confidential,” she said.

Animal testing

Often criticized as “the ugly secrets behind the beauty industry”, the cosmetic industry has received much flak globally for the suffering that rabbits, guinea pigs and other animals are put through to test for cosmetics.

They can have cosmetic chemicals dripped in their eyes, spread on their skin, or force fed to them in sometimes lethal doses, the note said.

India’s ban on animal testing makes it illegal to perform such animal tests for the testing of cosmetics or to import cosmetics which have been tested on animals outside of India on and/or after 12 November, 2014, HSI pointed out.

Following similar global campaigns, some companies have indicated in the past that they have stopped testing cosmetics on animals, though they still stop short of expressly labelling the products saying “not tested on animals” or carrying the “leaping bunny” symbol stating the same.

Some international brands like Jovees and local ones like Himalaya carry labels indicating that the product is not tested on animals.

Sections of the cosmetic industry, ranging from shampoos to lipsticks, still bat for animal testing before introducing new products into the market. Pro-life group representatives apprehend that companies may be getting their products tested by a third party in regions that are not so stringent or do not have similar laws.

Going cruelty-free

According to data previously presented by pro-life groups, Israel and the 27 European Union countries have already implemented both testing and sale bans to bring an end to cosmetics testing on animals. China too has taken a step in this direction with its Food and Drug Administration stating that China would remove mandatory animal test requirements for its locally made cosmetic products, from June last year.

Similar #BeCrueltyFree campaigns are underway driving change across Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan and the United States, HSI added.

jyothi.datta@thehindu.co.in

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