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Canadian Animal Welfare #1 - Does Canada still allow animal testing for cosmetics?

UPDATE - June 2023

'“SUCCESS! History has been made toward ending animal suffering today!

Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, passed the Senate this afternoon to become law, enshrining a path to end the testing of toxic chemicals on animals in Canada!

This monumental achievement means alternatives to animal-based methods will be prioritized. The government of Canada will have a duty to encourage the development of non-animal methods and strategies to replace, reduce or refine the use of animals.

Together with our partners and diligent champions in Parliament, Humane Canada played a key role ensuring that this landmark bill supports animals. This law will phase out the testing of toxic chemicals on animals, while also better protecting the environment and the health of Canadians.

History has been made to end animal suffering today, and this moment demonstrates the importance of not only our efforts, but your vital support for animal welfare. Thank you!”
- Humane Canada


Original blog post written November 16, 2021

After seeing a post about Mexico being the first country in North America to pass a federal bill, banning Animal Testing for Cosmetics, I was excited but then shocked to find out that Canada was not one of the countries that had already done this! 😞

The more digging I did into Canada’s laws & practises regarding animal welfare, the more I found out that my beautiful country has lots to work on.

I decided to create an on-going Canadian Animal Welfare blog series to help highlight some present day issues that still need to improve in Canada.

I want these blogs to be informative, positive conversation starters, with bit-sized data and a way for you to take action if you choose to do so.🙏🏻

DOES CANADA STILL ALLOW ANIMAL TESTING FOR COSMETICS?

Short answer, the answer is YES! When I wrote this blog, Canada still allowed animal testing for cosmetics.

Long answer, in 2015, Bill S-214, a bill to end cosmetic testing on animals was introduced in the Canadian Senate.  The bill garnered widespread support across all political parties, but sadly, not enough to see it through to the finish line. The bill died on the order paper before the federal election in 2019. ☹️

Globally, in 2013, a ban on testing cosmetics on animals and on selling cosmetics tested on animals went into effect in the European Union, paving the way for efforts to find alternatives for common cosmetic tests that use animals. India, Israel, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland have passed similar laws.

Cosmetic companies in the United States and abroad that conduct animal tests are not able to sell their products in these countries unless they change their practices. California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey and Virginia as well as Australia, Colombia, Guatemala, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey and several states in Brazil have also passed laws to ban or limit cosmetic animal testing.

New Jersey just signed a bill, with unanimous support, that will ban the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals! The ban is set to take place as of March 1, 2022. ​​New Jersey becomes the eighth state to pass a cosmetic testing ban, way to go New Jersey! 🎉

COSMETIC TESTING FACTS

  • Cosmetic animal tests are archaic chemical-poisoning experiments devised more than half a century ago, such as rodent “lethal dose” tests (1920s), rabbit eye and skin irritation tests (1940s) and guinea pig skin allergy tests (1950s).

  • Modern non-animal methods are available for most cosmetic safety issues, and have been shown to better predict human responses in the real-world than the animal tests they replace.

  • Cruelty-free brands like Lush, Dove and Herbal Essences create innovative new products safely by relying on modern non-animal tests in combination with existing ingredients with established histories of safe use.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP GET ANIMAL TESTING BANNED IN CANADA?

CLICK HERE 👉🏻 To take action by asking the Canadian Government to introduce a "Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act".

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP ANIMALS USED IN COSMETIC TESTS IN THE MEANTIME?

Learn how to keep animal testing out of your shopping cart with our easy tips and tricks!

  • Follow the Leaping Bunny: Find certified cruelty-free products by using the Free Leaping Bunny App

  • Look for the Leaping Bunny Logo: Cruelty- free companies display the Leaping Bunny Logo on their product.


Canadian Animal Welfare #1.2 - Oh no, I don’t see a Leaping bunny logo?

I needed some more concealer so off to Sephora’s I went and asked the employee to point out the “Cruelty Free” brands. She brought me to the TARTE display and says this is our most popular “Cruelty Free” brand. AWESOME! I happily grab some foundation and concealer and head to the cash lanes.

I get home to notice that there was no “Cruelty Free” logo on the containers, PANIC! Oh no, no leaping bunny but I thought it was “cruelty-free”! 😭

I search up the TARTE brand to find out that they market themselves as a Vegan Friendly brand, Ok…. What does that mean? 🤔

This is what I found:

“As the Vegan movement grows, so does the demand for vegan beauty products. While you may typically associate veganism with food, veganism refers to a lifestyle that does not include any animal products. Vegans take an ethical stance against animal oppression in support of animal liberation, and align their lifestyle habits with this value. 

Our use of animals for ingredients reaches into industries far beyond what’s on our plate. So someone that’s chosen a vegan lifestyle is mindful of all areas of consumption, consciously divesting from animal oppression. This includes clothing (avoiding leather, silk, and fur), food (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or dairy), beauty products and more.” 

BUT just because a product doesn’t contain animal ingredients, it may still have been tested on animals and products labeled cruelty-free aren’t necessarily vegan.

Sooooo, I’m back to my first question. Is TARTE cruelty-free? After some digging, I found out that they are cruelty-free under their FAQ section. “ Tarte cosmetics is a cruelty-free cosmetics line & has been since 2000! Tarte makeup & skincare is never tested on animals. We are also an approved PETA participant.” 😅

Moral of the story is, just because you don’t see a “Cruelty-Free Logo” it doesn’t mean it’s not. Do your research, dig deeper and ALWAYS double check your findings and your sources.

Let us know which CRUELTY-FREE cosmetic brand you love below.👇🏻


  1. https://humanecanada.ca/cruelty-free-cosmetics-act/

  2. https://www.hsi.org/issues/be-cruelty-free/

  3. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/keep-animal-testing-out-your-shopping-cart

  4. https://blog.humanesociety.org/2021/09/in-major-win-for-animals-mexico-bans-animal-testing-for-cosmetics.html?credit=blog_post_090721_id12480

  5. https://tartecosmetics.com/en_CA/customer-service/contact-us/faqs.html