Proposed Regulation in China Could Mean Fewer Cosmetics Tests on Animals
In a new development, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has proposed a change that could allow some cosmetics companies to stop conducting cruel, archaic tests on animals and switch to modern, humane testing methods. The change would give companies that manufacture cosmetics within China’s borders the go-ahead to submit their own data on their products’ toxicity to the government, rather than being forced to pay the government to conduct animal tests on their behalf. This change would mean that companies would be able to choose to use only in vitro (test tube) tests. Concerned that Chinese companies that are not yet familiar with the broad range of non-animal tests would continue to use the same old cruel methods, PETA U.S. is going to continue to provide scientists from the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) with funding to train Chinese scientists in non-animal testing methods.
Since this issue was first exposed, PETA U.S. has provided IIVS scientists with funding both to educate scientists in China about superior non-animal testing methods and to provide government officials there with guidance on accepting non-animal testing methods and developing a five-year plan to accept the tests currently used in the U.S. and Europe.
This potential move by the CFDA is a step in the right direction. For now, products manufactured outside China as well as so-called “functional cosmetics,” such as anti-wrinkle cream, will still be subject to the animal-testing requirement, but PETA, our international affiliates, and the IIVS will continue to work to end those tests, too.
PETA U.S. has worked with Paul Mitchell Systems, Dermalogica, Pangea Organics, Nature’s Gate, and Juice Beauty, which chose to withdraw from the Chinese market rather than harming animals, and with Urban Decay, NYX, Paula’s Choice, The Body Shop, Jack Black, Yes To Carrots, and 100% Pure, which have pledged not to sell in China as long as tests on animals are required. Take a look at this list of cruelty-free companies, and let’s vote with our wallets to tell companies that we prefer “beauty without bunnies.”
Posted by Edwina Baier
