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China has ‘signaled’ a possible end of animal testing for imported ‘ordinary’ cosmetics – which includes products such as shampoos and perfumes – reports say.
Whilst additional supporting regulations are still development, WWD states there is a ‘public consultation process and fine-print to be released on how companies can file and meet criteria to forgo the testing’.
‘A game changer’
In a statement sent to Plant Based News, Troy Seidle, vice president for research and toxicology at Humane Society International said: “As China is one of the few countries in the world to require animal tests for beauty products, removing this pre-market requirement for all ordinary cosmetics would be a game changer for cruelty-free beauty, and could save many tens of thousands of animals each year.
“The era of cosmetic animal testing is nearly at an end, and through our global #BeCrueltyFree campaign we are passing laws in key cosmetic markets to ensure that no animal is ever again made to suffer in the name of beauty.”
HSI added that the new regulation will come into effect on January 1, 2021.
‘Remaining hopeful’
‘Special-use’ cosmetics such as hair dye and sunscreen will still undergo mandatory animal testing and post-market product testing could still occur.
“Companies will therefore not be considered cruelty-free just yet if they enter the Chinese market,” popular Instagram account Cruelty-Free Kitty said.
“Nevertheless, I’m remaining hopeful that China will soon completely step away from animal testing as part of both pre-market and post-market animal testing. This new regulation is a giant step in the right direction.”
*This article was updated on July 4 to include further information and quotes supplied by HSI
