New Zealand Makes History: Recognizing Animal Sentience and Ending Animal Testing for Cosmetics

In a landmark decision guided by compassion and modern science, New Zealand has officially recognized animals as sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, fear, stress, and other emotions. This new status has been written into New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act, raising the legal standard of care for animals across the country. The update means that those responsible for animals are now required to consider not only their physical health, but their emotional well-being as well.

This important shift coincides with New Zealand passing a historic ban on animal testing for cosmetics. The new law requires companies that produce beauty and personal care products domestically to forgo cruel and outdated animal tests in favor of modern, non-animal methods that are safer and more effective.

With this move, New Zealand joins a growing list of countries that have already banned cosmetic animal testing, including every country in the European Union, Australia, Mexico, India, and most recently, Brazil. Together, these nations are sending a clear message: testing cosmetics on animals is unnecessary, unethical, and no longer acceptable.

As more countries make this compassionate and scientifically sound transition, the United States continues to lag behind. While twelve U.S. states have taken action to restrict the sale of animal-tested cosmetics, there is still no federal law banning these practices nationwide. As a result, cosmetic companies in the U.S. are still legally permitted to subject animals to painful and invasive tests, despite the availability of reliable, cruelty-free alternatives.

That is why it is critical for Congress to finally pass the Humane Cosmetics Act, which would end animal testing for cosmetics nationwide and prevent the sale of animal-tested products in the United States.

Please join Species Unite in urging lawmakers to act. By speaking out and supporting the Humane Cosmetics Act, you can help ensure that the United States follows the growing global consensus and ends this unnecessary cruelty once and for all.