OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – In addition to a host of laws taking effect in 2025, Washington plans to ban cosmetics that use animal testing in the new year.

Washington state has joined nearly a dozen of other states in banning the practice, though there are a few exceptions to the rule.

The law (HB 1097) allows for the sale of animal-tested products if the testing was done before 2025, and no new testing is done after Jan. 1, 2025. Another exception is if the testing is done outside the U.S. and meets foreign regulations.

If a non-cosmetic product is tested on animals for non-safety reasons, it can still be sold in the state.

Bill sponsor Amy Walen (D-48) says that most industries are no longer using animal testing and had more to say about what this law means for Washington’s values.

“I hope this is one of many actions that we take to say, ‘in Washington state, we care about every living thing, and we are responsible consumers of the resources of our planet and that includes our animals,'” Walen said during the committee hearing that moved the bill to the House floor last February.

So far, 12 states have laws that ban cosmetics testing on animals.