China’s Evolving Landscape for Cosmetics Animal Testing: Current Regulations and Future Trends

Animal testing has long been a core topic of discussion as China's cosmetics industry increasingly aligns with international standards. Previously, China had already implemented conditional exemptions for animal testing on general cosmetics. However, these exemptions did not cover special cosmetics or cosmetics utilizing new cosmetic ingredients that are still under the mandatory safety monitoring period.

On March 31, 2026, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued the Announcement on Matters Concerning Cosmetics Registration and Notification (Draft for Comments). According to this pivotal draft, the exemption from animal testing is no longer exclusively for "general cosmetics." As long as manufacturers meet specific conditions, special cosmetics and products containing new cosmetic ingredients (NCIs) may also be exempt from animal testing.

This article will systematically review the current regulatory landscape of animal testing requirements for cosmetics in China and analyze the future trends shaping the industry.

1. Current Regulatory Status of Animal Testing in Cosmetics

1.1 Finished Products