Brands Sold In China Can Now Be Cruelty-Free: A Huge Win!

Big news for animal lovers and beauty enthusiasts alike! In a remarkable shift, brands sold in China can now be cruelty-free. You might be wondering how this sudden change came about. Well, here’s the scoop.

For the longest time, animal testing was compulsory for all imported cosmetics sold in mainland China. But hold on to your hats because that’s no longer the case! From May 1st, 2021, onwards, pre-market animal testing for imported ordinary cosmetics is no more.

This is a major step forward in the global movement towards cruelty-free beauty products. It signifies a new era where you can indulge in your favorite brands without compromising your ethical standards.

So, let’s dive deeper into what this means for both consumers and companies around the world!

Brands Sold in China Can Now Be Cruelty-Free

Huge news! There’s been a monumental shift in animal testing laws in China. You may have heard whispers about it, but let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details together.

Pressure from you, the cruelty-free consumers around the world, along with animal welfare organizations like Humane Society International and Cruelty-Free International, has finally paid off. Even massive corporations couldn’t ignore your calls for change!

Since 2021, most cosmetics sold in China no longer need pre-market animal testing. What’s more? Post-market testing doesn’t involve our furry friends in determining safety anymore, either!

This is big news for all you beauty enthusiasts and champions of animal rights out there!

With these requirements lifted, your favorite beauty brands won’t have to compromise on ethics to tap into the Chinese market. This major step takes us closer to a compassionate beauty industry where no animals are harmed.

The Latest on China’s Animal Testing Laws

Let me take you back to June 30th, 2014 – this was when companies could start selling their locally produced products (excluding special-use cosmetics) without needing to test them on animals first. Since then, most cosmetics made within Chinese borders have been exempted from such tests.

Fast forward seven years later – starting May 1st, 2021 – even non-domestically manufactured products could bypass pre-market animal testing as long as they didn’t fall under the ‘special use’ category, which includes sunscreen, deodorant, etc.

Post-Market Animal Testing No Longer A Threat

Now let’s talk post-market testing; this refers to re-testing already approved cosmetics if safety concerns arise or customers complain. For years, we hesitated to call all brands sold in China cruelty-free due to this potential threat lurking behind store shelves.

But guess what? Post-market is now a very, very rare threat; if it happens, brands can withdraw their products from China to avoid animal testing.

Brands Sold In China Can Now Be Cruelty-Free: Easy Explanation

In countries like China, certain cosmetic products may be subject to mandatory animal testing regulations. If a brand wants to sell its products in physical stores in China, it has to comply with these regulations, where animal testing may occur.

Starting in 2023, brands have the opportunity to enter the Chinese market without funding animal cruelty. However, not every brand may qualify. Certain ingredients, products, and claims may still trigger animal tests during the registration process, and post-market testing involving animals, while rare, is still a possibility.

To avoid animal testing in China, companies must meet specific criteria:

• Sell only ‘general’ cosmetics in China (such as makeup, skincare, haircare, nail polish, and perfumes).
• Avoid selling ‘special’ cosmetics like sunscreens or hair dye.
• Refrain from selling products for infants, children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or products containing ‘New Cosmetic Ingredients.’
• Have a policy in place to recall products if post-market testing is required rather than allowing them to be tested on animals.

Furthermore, products can avoid animal testing in China if they are manufactured in China or if their final assembly occurs in China. If manufactured outside of China, companies must obtain the proper safety certificates from their country of origin.

Brands that have been selling in China must ensure that all their products meet the exemption criteria while providing the proper safety certificates from specific authorities. This means that many brands currently sold in China may not yet be entirely cruelty-free.

It’s essential to note that while China is gradually relaxing its animal testing laws, it does not mean that all brands sold in China are now cruelty-free. While this phase may raise questions, brands selling in China no longer have to be an immediate no-no for cruelty-free shoppers.

To provide shoppers with extra assurance, Leaping Bunny offers the China Qualification Program, which you can check before purchasing. This program ensures that Leaping Bunny-certified companies selling domestically in China remain cruelty-free.