Ending Cosmetics Testing on Animals in the United States
This study was conducted as part of a global campaign by HSUS and HSI on animal testing for cosmetics. A series of public opinion surveys were administered in several countries including the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. The U.S. study—conducted with a nationwide sample of registered voters—showed that 67% of respondents oppose testing cosmetics on animals. The report presents findings (broken down by age and gender) on the level of awareness about cosmetics testing on animals, opposition to the practice, and safety concerns.
[Abstract excerpted from original source.]
- “American voters know about cosmetics testing on animals and are opposed to it. Sixty-eight percent of respondents know that animals are used to test the safety of cosmetic and personal care products and 67% are opposed to the practice. Fewer than three in ten (28%) voters support the use of animals for cosmetics safety testing.
- Most Americans would feel safer using a cosmetics product found safe with non-animal testing methods than a product found safe using animal testing. Fifty-two percent say non-animal testing methods rather than animal testing would make them feel safer. Just 18% of voters say they would feel safer using a product found safe using animal testing.
- There is widespread, bipartisan support among American voters to end cosmetics safety testing using animals and to make the practice illegal in the United States. Almost two-thirds of respondents (62%) believe it should not be legally allowed to test cosmetics safety on animals in the U.S. and just 33% think it ought to remain legal.
- Regardless of their age, level of education, or ethnicity, women – the primary consumers of cosmetics and consumer targets of most cosmetic companies – want the use of animals for cosmetics safety testing to end in the United States. A majority of women, as well as sub-groups of women, say animal testing should be illegal, and most are opposed to animal testing for cosmetics.”
Results from the international polls can be accessed here.