After California, which became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics about a year ago, followed by Nevada more recently, Illinois has joined the list.

Despite the lack of a nation-wide legislation, a growing number of U.S. cosmetics brands are adopting animal-free testing, following the path of European companies. (Photo: © Artfully79 / IStock.com)

Bill SB 241, sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), passed both houses of the state legislature last May and was eventually signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on August 12th, 2019. The new law prohibits the import or sale of any cosmetic if the final product or any ingredient was tested on animals after January 1st, 2020.

“Consumers’ expectations are moving toward products that are not tested on animals, and big personal product brands are changing their practices,” Holmes said.

To date, more than 30 countries, most of them in the European Union, prohibit cosmetics testing on animals. The United States, however, has failed to pass a nationwide ban. Therefore, the fight has moved to the state level and last year, California became the first state to enact “humane cosmetics” legislation, followed by Nevada in June.