Today the leading organisation campaigning for an end to animal experiments Cruelty Free International was joined by actor and activist Alicia Silverstone at the United Nation’s annual High-Level Political Forum to call on the world’s decision-makers to bring an end to the testing of cosmetics on animals.
The star of stage and screen, known for her support of animals, teamed up with the animal protection organisation in New York to appeal to world leaders to work together to end animal testing for cosmetics while advancing the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda.
Speaking at a meeting with international government representatives and businesses hosted by Cruelty Free International to showcase how partnerships between NGOs, companies, consumers, science, government and the general public can help create a cruelty free future, Alicia Silverstone said: “I’m delighted to come together with Cruelty Free International to add my voice to the millions already calling for a global end to cosmetics animal testing. I urge the decision-makers gathered here from across the world to play their part in ending the testing of cosmetics on animals globally and for good.”
Cruelty Free International, the first global, non-profit organisation dedicated to ending cosmetic product and ingredient testing on animals, led the 20-year fight to end cruel cosmetics in the European Union, and instigated the campaign for a global end to cosmetics animal testing in 2017.
Highlighting the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 17 which focuses on global partnerships, the Cruelty Free International event provided a platform for officials, UN member states, business and experts from the world of humane science. Participants were invited to review the enormous progress to date in making beauty cruelty free and examine the final steps needed to work together to end animal suffering for cosmetics worldwide and for good.
Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said: “Cosmetic animal testing is cruel, old-fashioned, expensive and inefficient. Today, there are far more reliable and humane alternatives. Many cruelty-free companies use safe and effective cruelty-free ingredients in all their products. Across the globe, people want this cruel practice to end. It’s fantastic that more countries are passing laws, but it’s time to say goodbye to this outdated practice once and for all. Government, business and consumers working together is the best way to truly eliminate the suffering of animals for cosmetics.”
Last year Cruelty Free International and campaign partner The Body Shop collected over 8.3 million signatures from supporters around the world in just 15 months, to call on the global decision-making community to formalise an international framework that would end cosmetic animal testing. Cruelty Free International estimates that more than 500,000 animals each year are still used in cosmetics testing.
Alicia Silverstone is also calling on her fellow Americans to contact their senators and representatives and encourage them to make the US cruelty free by acting now for a federal law to stop cosmetics animal testing and the sale of newly tested cosmetics in the USA, one of the world’s biggest cosmetics markets. Significant progress has been made in getting state-level laws against cosmetics animal testing and the sale of animal-tested cosmetics passed in the US over the last few months. Consumers can get involved and show their support on social media by using the hashtag #SupportHumaneCosmetics to raise awareness.
