Proceedings of the International Conference on Conceptualizing Legal Framework and Policies for Domestic Animal and Wildlife Conservation: Issues and Challenges in Hybrid Mode (ICAR 2026)

International Conference on Conceptualizing Legal Framework and Policies for Domestic Animal and Wildlife Conservation: Issues and Challenges in Hybrid Mode (ICAR 2026)

📍Greater Noida, India🗓️ 16-17 January 2026
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The Unseen Victims: Animal Rights vis-à-vis Animal Testing in Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical Industries in India

Authors
Manojkumar V. Hiremath1, Sahana A. Karkal2, *
1Assistant Professor of Law, KLE Law College, Bengaluru, A Constituent College of KLE Technological University, Hubballi, India
2Assistant Professor of Law, KLE Law College, Bengaluru, A Constituent College of KLE Technological University, Hubballi, India
*Corresponding author. Email: sahanakarkal@klelawcollege.org
Corresponding Author
Sahana A. Karkal
Available Online 7 July 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6239-725-5_12How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Animal Testing; Cosmetics Regulation; Pharmaceutical Research; Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945; Animal Welfare Law
Abstract

Despite the growing global recognition of animal rights, the continued use of animal testing in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries raises concerns about the effectiveness of laws aimed at preventing cruelty. Animals are often subjected to inhumane testing in the name of safety and efficacy, reflecting industry practices that prioritise profit over welfare. In India, animal testing for cosmetics has been banned, along with the import of such products, through amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. This has created a compliance obligation for manufacturers and importers to adopt alternative methods such as in-vitro testing, computational toxicology, and reconstructed human tissues. Non-compliance attracts penalties including fines, seizure, and licence revocation, aligning India with international standards like the EU. In contrast, pharmaceutical testing retains a complex legal status. Animal experimentation remains permissible and often mandatory for toxicity and efficacy evaluation, but is strictly regulated by CPCSEA under the ethical framework of the “3Rs” — Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Violations may lead to withdrawal of research approval. This sectoral approach reflects a broader legal shift recognising animals as sentient beings while balancing public health, scientific progress, consumer protection, and constitutional values.

Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the International Conference on Conceptualizing Legal Framework and Policies for Domestic Animal and Wildlife Conservation: Issues and Challenges in Hybrid Mode (ICAR 2026)
Series
Atlantis Highlights in Social Sciences, Education and Humanities
Publication Date
7 July 2026
ISBN
978-94-6239-725-5
ISSN
2667-128X
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6239-725-5_12How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Manojkumar V. Hiremath
AU  - Sahana A. Karkal
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/07
TI  - The Unseen Victims: Animal Rights vis-à-vis Animal Testing in Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical Industries in India
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Conceptualizing Legal Framework and Policies for Domestic Animal and Wildlife Conservation: Issues and Challenges in Hybrid Mode (ICAR 2026)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 132
EP  - 142
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-725-5_12
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-725-5_12
ID  - Hiremath2026
ER  -