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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>373406</law_id><section_number>59.1-572</section_number><catch_line>Prohibited conduct</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="127" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="50" identifier="52">Humane Cosmetics Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Except as provided in subsection B, no <span class="dictionary">cosmetics manufacturer</span> shall: <a id="paragraph-1393532" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Conduct or <span class="dictionary">contract</span> for <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span> that occurs in the Commonwealth on or after January 1, 2022; <a id="paragraph-1393533" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Manufacture or import for profit into the Commonwealth any cosmetic or ingredient thereof, if the <span class="dictionary">cosmetics manufacturer</span> knew or reasonably should have known that the cosmetic or any component thereof was developed or manufactured using <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span> that was conducted on or after January 1, 2022; or <a id="paragraph-1393534" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Beginning July 1, 2022, sell or offer for sale within the Commonwealth any cosmetic, if the <span class="dictionary">cosmetics manufacturer</span> knows or reasonably should know that the cosmetic or any component thereof was developed or manufactured using <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span> that was conducted on or after January 1, 2022. <a id="paragraph-1393535" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The prohibitions in subsection A shall not apply to <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span> or a cosmetic for which <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span> was conducted, if the <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span> was conducted: <a id="paragraph-1393536" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To comply with a requirement of a federal or state regulatory agency and (i) the tested ingredient is in wide use and cannot be replaced by another ingredient capable of performing a similar function; (ii) a specific human health problem related to the cosmetic or ingredient is substantiated that justifies the need to conduct the <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span>, and such testing is supported by a detailed research protocol proposed as the basis for the evaluation of the cosmetic or ingredient; and (iii) there does not exist a method of testing other than <span class="dictionary">cosmetic animal testing</span> that is accepted for the relevant purpose by the federal or state regulatory agency; <a id="paragraph-1393537" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To comply with a requirement of a regulatory agency of a foreign <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, so long as no <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> derived from such testing was relied upon to substantiate the safety of a cosmetic sold within Virginia by the <span class="dictionary">cosmetics manufacturer</span>; <a id="paragraph-1393538" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> On any cosmetic or cosmetic ingredient subject to the requirements of Subchapter V of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. &#xA7; 351 et seq.); or <a id="paragraph-1393539" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Pursuant to a requirement of a federal, state, or foreign regulatory agency for a purpose unrelated to cosmetics, provided that either no <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> derived from such testing was relied upon to substantiate the safety of the cosmetic or there is (i) documented <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of a noncosmetic <span class="dictionary">intent</span> of the test and (ii) a history of use of the ingredient outside of cosmetics for at least 12 months prior to such reliance. <a id="paragraph-1393540" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-572/#B4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 113, 114.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
