New Jersey has become the latest state to ban the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals.

Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill on Monday that was passed unanimously by state legislators a few months ago-making the state the eighth state in the country to enact such laws.

The ban covers even the sale of items tested on animals outside of the state, but there are obvious exceptions-including whether federal or state regulatory agencies require such testing; if an ingredient is widely used and is not replaceable, or there is no alternative Accepted alternative methods to test the product.

Starting in March 2022, retailers found to have violated the law may be fined up to $1,000.

The United States has no federal regulations on such tests, involving the Food and Drug Administration or the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to the Humane Society, as of July, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, and Virginia have also passed laws prohibiting the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals.

Globally, more than 40 countries, including Mexico, have banned the testing of products on animals.

Earlier this year, China revised its regulations to allow it to import what it considers "ordinary cosmetics" into China without the need for animal testing.