California Senator Cathleen Galgiani recently introduced the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act, which would make it illegal after January 1, 2020, for brands to sell or import cosmetics or personal hygiene products tested on animals.

California always seems to be ahead of the game regarding eco-friendly initiatives, and Senator Galgiani has maintained that reputation by recently introducing a new cosmetics bill that could change the beauty industry. If it’s passed, the California Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act—which is supported by Cruelty Free International and Lush Cosmetics—would make it illegal after January 1, 2020, for brands to sell or import cosmetics or personal hygiene products that they knew to be tested on animals.

So, what’s the deal with animal testing? Every year more than 100 million animals— cats, dogs, monkeys, guinea pigs and rabbits—die in laboratory cages across the country after enduring testing that can skew painful and cruel, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). But, given that current technology allows for testing products to be safe for human use without needing to harm animals in the process—like by using human skin cultures grown in labs, for example—we can both respect animals without testing on them, and yet still conduct testing with new technology. 

“The European Union implemented a similar law over five years ago, and the sky didn’t fall. Animals have been saved while companies have flourished and grown without cruelty as part of their business model,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation.