Congress Calls on FDA to Accept Non-Animal Tests for Sunscreen, PETA Statement
For Immediate Release:
November 13, 2025
Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382
Please see the following statement from PETA scientist Jeffrey Brown regarding the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, which includes language calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to accept non-animal test methods for sunscreen active ingredients:
Last night’s passage of the 2026 Continuing Appropriations Act shows Congress agrees with PETA and tens of thousands of PETA supporters: the FDA must prioritize non-animal test methods for evaluating sunscreens and must expand access to modern, effective sunscreens to enhance protection against skin cancer. PETA scientists met with members of Congress this summer, and we applaud their leadership. We have sent multiple letters to the agency, urging it to act swiftly by collaborating with sunscreen manufacturers and other scientific experts who have spent decades developing reliable cell- and computer-based test methods to assess sunscreen safety. The FDA must fulfill its responsibility to use the best, most human-relevant science to protect the public, rather than insisting that companies conduct decades-old animal tests that have been shown not to protect human health.
Congress has made it clear that it expects the FDA to find ways to accelerate the use of non-animal tests to give consumers confidence that the sunscreens they use are safe. This highlights an opportunity for the FDA to engage with the many companies that are interested in using more innovative and human-relevant non-animal testing methods. PETA thanks these lawmakers for their leadership on sunscreen testing and commitment to good science, human health, and animal protection:
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13]
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12]
Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]
Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]
Rep. James, John [R-MI-10]
Sen. Cory Booker [D-NJ]
