Consumer Products Safe Testing Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (12 Apr 1996): Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
What this bill does
H.R. 3173, the Consumer Products Safe Testing Act, would establish a policy for federal departments and agencies to promote the use of testing methods for products that do not involve animals, as long as these methods accurately predict a product's acute health effects on humans. This would require agency heads to review current regulations that mandate or encourage animal testing, such as the Draize test, and evaluate non-animal alternatives. If a non-animal test is found to be as likely as an animal test to predict human health effects, agencies would be required to adopt it.
The bill would affect federal agencies that regulate product safety. Agency heads would have to either replace animal tests with non-animal alternatives or publish an explanation in the Federal Register detailing why animal testing is still necessary. Additionally, agencies would be required to review the justification for using animal tests every two years, considering technological advancements. This act would not apply to regulations concerning medical research.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in March 1996. As of its introduction, its latest action was simply being introduced. The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Consumer Products Safe Testing Act - Sets forth Federal policy requiring Federal departments and agencies to encourage the development and use of product testing procedures that do not rely upon animals yet accurately reflect the acute health effects on humans of certain products, including consumer products and products containing hazardous or toxic substances. Requires each Federal department or agency head to: (1) evaluate any regulation, guideline, or recommendation issued by that agency which requires, recommends, or encourages the use of the Draize or other animal acute toxicity test to evaluate the safety of a regulated product; (2) evaluate nonanimal alternatives with the potential for partial or full replacement of such test; and (3) promulgate regulations, guidelines, or recommendations that specify a nonanimal acute toxicity test or battery of tests that should be used instead of an animal test unless the nonanimal test is less likely to predict the acute health effects of a product on humans. Provides that any Federal agency head who finds that regulations requiring or recommending animal tests should not be amended, to publish in the Federal Register an explanation of options considered and the justification for continuing the animal test. Requires each Federal agency head, at least every two years, after considering the most recent technological advances available, to determine whether continued use of any animal test is justified. Makes this Act inapplicable to regulations, guidelines, or recommendations related to medical research.
Timeline
12 Apr 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3173 do?
- H.R. 3173, the Consumer Products Safe Testing Act, would establish a policy for federal departments and agencies to promote the use of testing methods for products that do not involve animals, as long as these methods accurately predict a product's acute health effects on humans. This would require agency heads to review current regulations that mandate or encourage animal testing, such as the Draize test, and evaluate non-animal alternatives. If a non-animal test is found to be as likely as an animal test to predict human health effects, agencies would be required to adopt it. The bill would affect federal agencies that regulate product safety. Agency heads would have to either replace animal tests with non-animal alternatives or publish an explanation in the Federal Register detailing why animal testing is still necessary. Additionally, agencies would be required to review the justification for using animal tests every two years, considering technological advancements. This act would not apply to regulations concerning medical research. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in March 1996. As of its introduction, its latest action was simply being introduced. The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
- Has H.R. 3173 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3173. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3173?
- H.R. 3173 was sponsored by Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-12] (D-CA), with 68 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3173?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment. (12 Apr 1996).
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Consumer Products Safe Testing Act
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