China Ends Mandatory Animal Testing for Domestic Non-special Use Cosmetics from 30 Jun 2014

From 30 Jun 2014 the cosmetics industry will no longer be a required to submit written dossier for registration of non-special use cosmetics produced in China. A new online registration will replace the previous version (see CL Cosmetic New on 10 Jun). From the same day animal testing will also be optional for this category of cosmetic which includes products for skin, hair, nails, make-up and perfumes. Domestic manufacturers are now permitted to use existing animal testing data or data drawn from validated non-animal tests to substantiate the product safety. When you consider China’s historically conservative attitude toward alternatives to animal testing it is significant that such a compromise has already made. This new regulatory provision acknowledges the global cruelty free trend and simultaneously affords China with more opportunities to trade internationally and utilize more technologically advanced testing methodologies. Peter Li, PhD, China policy adviser of the Humane Society International, said: “this is an important first step for China in moving away from cruel and unreliable animal testing for cosmetics.” According to HIS’s estimate, if every eligible company took advantage of the policy change, 10,000 animals a year could be saved in China (see HSI Post on 30 Jun).