The Senate approved in general and in particular, in the second step, the project that modifies the Health Code to prohibit experimentation on animals, with a view to the production of cosmetic products, as well as the import and marketing of these products, if they have been tested in animals.
The proposal expressly states that “the use of animals is prohibited to carry out safety and efficacy tests of cosmetic, hygiene and personal odorization products, and each and every one of their ingredients, combination of ingredients or final formulations.”
To ensure the protection of human health, manufacturers must use alternative testing methods that do not involve animals to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of cosmetic, hygiene and personal odor products and each and every one of their ingredients, combination of ingredients or final formulations, recognized by the Institute of Public Health or by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Likewise, the sale, commercialization, import and introduction into the national market of cosmetic, hygiene and personal odorization products whose ingredients, combination of ingredients or final formulations have been tested on animals to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness, after the entry into force of the law.
Move towards international standards
In this regard, the senator for Ñuble, Loreto Carvajal, intervened during the discussion in the room, stating that this initiative “brings us to international standards and reflects our commitment to a more ethical and humane treatment of our life partners.”
The legislator maintained that “the investigationtion and science advance enormously every day. And the truth is that one of the changes that our society has had is in how we understand our cohabitation with animals, which are often part, I would say mostly, of our families. Today it is difficult to think that a pet does not feel, does not express, is not part of a family nucleus in which it accompanies older adults, in which it accompanies children, in which it is of enormous utility when it comes to accompanying people, for example. , with visual disabilities and others.”
For this reason, he said, “it seems totally understandable, totally understandable, fair, legitimate that we are advancing today in a law in Chile that makes this experimentation impossible, illegal and that it is obviously accompanied by a guarantee, and above all, sufficient supervision when This happens, to punish those who transgress it. Therefore, with great force I say again, animals have every right to be free from experimentation, free from imprisonment and free from murder.”
