Cruelty-Free - Fashion or Mexican Law

It is becoming increasingly common to hear the term "Cruelty Free," and without knowing much about it, when we see this term on a cosmetic product, we intuit that it was not tested on animals before being released for sale. This term has gained more relevance, and consumers are increasingly looking for "Cruelty Free" products. But what is cruelty-free? Is it a current trend, and will it lose importance over time? At Andromeda Skincare, we tell you what it is and why it is important for the consumer.

On September 2, 2021, Mexico approved an important reform to the General Health Law, which was published on October 14, 2021, in the Official Gazette of the Federation, with the aim of ending the widespread practice of animal testing. 103 senators participated in the vote and unanimously decided in favor of the reform.

This reform establishes that cosmetic ingredients, finished products, or parts of their mixture may not be researched on animals. Olga Sánchez, the president of the Senate, added, "The decree by which various provisions of the General Health Law are reformed and added is approved in general and in particular."

It will also not be possible to manufacture, import, or commercialize cosmetic products if animal tests were used in the research of their formulation, and/or if they contain ingredients or combinations of these that have been tested on animals. Ricardo Monrea, Coordinator in the Senate for the National Regeneration Movement Party, described the decision as "historic."

Furthermore, a penalty of two to seven years in prison and a fine equivalent to 200 to 2,000 times the value of the Unit of Measurement and Update will be imposed on anyone who contracts, authorizes, conducts, participates in, or develops cosmetic tests on animals.

Mexico has become the first country in North America to modify its law in favor of animals as sentient beings and joins the list as the 41st country worldwide.

References

Diario Oficial de la Federación - DECREE by which various provisions of the General Health Law are reformed and added.