In 1933, cosmetic testing using animals became a common practice after a woman used Lash Lure mascara which burned her cornea and left her blind.

In 1959, the 3R’s, replace, reduce, refine, emerged with the publication of The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique by W.M.S. Russell and Rex Burch.

In 1980, Henry Spira protests against the Draize Test by targeting Revlon.

In 1981, Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing is established with a $1 million grant.

In 1983, the Food and Drug Administration passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make sure the incident from 1933 will not occur again.

In 1992, European Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) is formed.

In 1993, the 1st World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences is held in Baltimore, MD.

In 1996, The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) is created and 2nd World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences is held in The Netherlands.

In 1997, CAAT’s Altweb, the Alternatives to Animal Testing Website, is launched and the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods.

In 1999, the 3rd World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences is held in Bologna, Italy.

In 2000, The ICCVAM Authorization Act establishes ICCVAM as a permanent interagency committee.

In 2002, the 4th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences is held in New Orleans, Louisiana, US.

In 2004, the European Union law goes into effect banning animal testing of finished cosmetic products and the sale of animal tested finished products, and The Humane Society of the United States launches campaign against Botox maker Allergan, Inc., who use the infamous LD50 on animals to test potency on every batch of the popular anti-wrinkle drug.

In 2005, HSUS submits Test Method Nomination to ICCVAM for “Alternative Methods to Replace the Mouse LD50 Assay for Botulinum Toxin Potency Testing.”

In 2006, at The Humane Society of the United States’ request, ICCVAM holds the Scientific Workshop on Alternative Methods to Refine, Reduce and Replace the Mouse LD50 Assay for Botulinum Toxin Testing (Botox).

In 2007, HSUS, along with the Calvert Group, submits a shareholder resolution against Allergan asking for transparency in their efforts to develop alternatives to the LD50 for potency testing of Botox, and the 6th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences is held in Berlin, Germany.

In 2009, the 7th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences is held in Rome, Italy, and the EU cosmetics testing law now extends its ban to animal testing of cosmetic ingredients, as well as the marketing of cosmetic products whose ingredients have been tested on animals on or after March 11.