The government has introduced a draft notification that bans India from importing animal-tested cosmetics. If the ban is implemented, India will become Asia's first animal cruelty-free cosmetics zone, said an NGO.
The notification is available for public consultation for 45 days after which the government will take a decision in the matter.
Humane Society International (HIS), an NGO, applauded this step by the union ministry of health and family welfare.
"With a ban on animal-tested cosmetics already in place in India, it is now time to ensure that cosmetics tested on animals in other countries are not imported in Indian shops," Alokparna Sengupta, manager of HSI India's 'Be Cruelty-Free' campaign, told IANS.
European countries such as Israel have already banned the sale of such cosmetics.