THE WHAT? PETA India has urged the Indian government to withdraw proposed amendments to animal experimentation regulations, warning that reduced oversight could increase animal testing and potentially undermine existing protections affecting the cosmetics industry.

THE DETAILS The draft amendments would limit mandatory prior government approval to experiments expected to cause unbearable pain or threaten an animal’s life, with company-appointed expert committees determining whether these conditions apply. The proposals have raised concerns about reduced independent oversight and the potential use of wildlife and stray animals in laboratory testing. Although animal testing for cosmetics is currently banned in India, campaigners fear the changes could create regulatory loopholes. PETA India and other animal welfare organisations have called for the proposals to be withdrawn, with public consultation remaining open until 5 November 2026.

THE WHY? The proposed changes raise questions about regulatory oversight and India’s commitment to animal-free testing as the global cosmetics industry increasingly adopts alternative safety assessment methods. Any weakening of animal experimentation safeguards could create uncertainty for cosmetics manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and testing laboratories operating within international cruelty-free and product safety frameworks.

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