Cruelty-free and the Chinese market

According to reports in the press, a number of cosmetics companies have had their ‘leaping bunny’ cruelty-free logo withdrawn because they now sell wares in China.

Under Chinese law all cosmetic products must be tested on animals and so some companies arranged tests there while still using the bunny logo in the UK.  Stories in several national newspapers have cited High Street names and said they have had their right to use the bunny logo withdrawn. 

China is a growing and potentially lucrative market and companies in many industries are looking to invest there to take advantage of the new income source.

But America’s Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) has reported that China is set to accept non-animal tests in the near future.  Director of Education and Outreach programs Dr Brian Jones has said China is very interested in alternatives.

Around a dozen alternative assays are already under review there and could be accepted in less than a year. In an article in Cosmetics Design's "Voice of the Industry" series, he says China might even adopt alternatives fully before Europe.

The article can be found online here: http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Regulation-Safety/China-may-be-quicker-than-the-West-to-accept-non-animal-testing-alternative-says-industry-expert

 Archived 31 August 2012