The launch of the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) was publicly announced on February 8. Cosmetics Alliance is a proud founding association member with representation on the Board of Directors and several of the core teams. This global effort is intended to provide a collaboration of cosmetics companies, suppliers, industry associations, and animal protection NGOs to advance the acceptance of animal-free science worldwide. Erin Hill, former President (and co-founder) of the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, has been appointed President & CEO of ICCS.
CA was actively involved with our colleagues from Cosmetics Europe, U.S. Personal Care Products Association, and many of our international companies in the scoping and establishment of ICCS, which is now operational. The three pillars of the collaboration are the advancement of animal-free safety science through research, training and education, and regulatory acceptance of non-animal test methods. For more information, check out the ICCS website HERE.
CA President Darren Praznik has been elected to the Board of Directors while VP Beta Montemayor serves on the Core Science Team. Along with many of our international member companies and associations, animal advocacy organizations including Cruelty Free International and Humane Society International are also represented on the Board of Directors.
CA issued a public statement to support the launch while urging government to get on with legislation to ban cosmetics animal testing in Canada. It was sent to key MPs, Ministers, and policy advisors and stressed the need to table legislation, in some form, as soon as possible – and certainly in advance of Canada hosting the Animal Alternatives World Congress in August 2023 to avoid the risk of being embarrassed on this global stage.
In a related matter, for those members who missed the story, CA was recently contacted by a reporter for the Globe & Mail regarding cosmetics and animal testing legislation. This was a timely media/PR opportunity together with our Government Relations outreach. Ultimately, we were able to positively influence the story which clearly captured our key messages in a quote from CA President, Darren Praznik.
“All the stakeholders, including industry, have worked very hard over the last several years to advance a cosmetics animal testing ban in Canada, including aligning on the principles with Health Canada to ensure workable legislation,” Praznik said. “While we appreciate the delays due to the pandemic, it is time for government to finally get this done.”
