Why is it important to conduct product safety tests on animals when “cruelty-free” products are available?
It is important to remember the circumstances that led to safety testing of all new consumer ingredients and products, particularly cosmetics. As recently as several decades ago, consumers were subjected to products that were not adequately tested prior to use, resulting in reports of permanent harm, including blindness. Product safety testing ensures that products are safe when used as directed and provides scientific data for poison control centers and emergency room physicians in the event a product is misused. Adequate testing of products is both a moral and legal obligation to the public. The use of animals in product safety testing provides a whole, living system that can reflect how certain substances will react in or on the body. The term “cruelty-free” is often misused and misunderstood. Companies that claim they conduct no animal testing either contract testing to an outside laboratory or use compounds known to be safe through previous animal testing.
Related Questions
- Does the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have injury data on particular consumer products that I can see?
- Why is it important to conduct product safety tests on animals when "cruelty-free" products are available?
- Can I still ask a U.S. based laboratories to conduct some tests on my food products?
