The Facts:

• Animal testing is legal in South Africa, but is unregulated and lacking in statistics regarding the type of tests being conducted, the numbers of animals and species being used or in areas of research.
• The welfare of laboratory animals falls under the Animals Protection Act, which is outdated and in fact does not specifically cover the ‘use’ of animals for scientific purposes. 
• Scientific tests continue to be carried out on animals behind closed doors, while a bill seeking to criminalise their use for testing cosmetics is still under discussion in South Africa.
• The Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) recently asked for public comment on the bill which intends to ban the sale of cosmetic products that are tested on animals‚ criminalise the testing of cosmetics on animals‚ and criminalise the failure to provide an animal with an appropriate environment.
• Cosmetic testing on animals is a secretive industry and includes processes like forced inhalation of chemicals; exposure to chemicals at levels that cause illness or death; and electric shock.
• Animal experimentation is not only cruel, but also ineffective, and morally flawed. From drugs to ordinary household items, many products are unnecessarily tested on animals in an attempt to legally protect corporations from liability.
• The European Union (28 States), India, Israel, Guatemala and Norway have already formally banned the testing of cosmetics on animals, as well as the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals outside of their borders.
• New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Korea, USA and Taiwan are in the process of passing laws to ban the testing of cosmetics on animals.
• There are many ingredients that are safe, and do not need to be tested on animals again. There are also non-animal based tests available. No-one has to be part of this cruel and unnecessary industry.

How you can help:

• Choose cruelty free.  Do not buy cosmetics or household products that have been tested on animals.
• For cruelty free products in South Africa, use Beauty Without Cruelty approved products http://www.humaneguide.co.za
• For cruelty free international cosmetic and household products, use the Leaping Bunny approved list https://www.leapingbunny.org
• Be an advocate for animals. Advise your friends and family about the cruelty of vivisection.

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