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In the past few months, we’ve been hearing some news and changes about China’s animal testing requirements for cosmetics.

But what exactly has changed? Does China no longer require cosmetics to be tested on animals in 2019? Let me break it down for you.

Animal Testing in China



China has a long history and a bad rap in the cruelty-free space of being one of the countries that require all imported cosmetics to be tested on animals. This means any cosmetic brand wanting to import and sell in China must consent and pay to have their products tested on animals by the Chinese government.

This has been the case since 2012 when PETA was the first to bring this issue to light. In 2014, China made some changes to its laws, but the adjustments only affected non-special use cosmetics that were made in China.

Nothing had changed for imported cosmetics, special-use cosmetics, and cross-border e-commerce channels (aka online sales).



China Ends Post-Market Animal Testing in 2019?



Fast forward to March 2019, China announced that post-market testing for finished imported and domestically produced cosmetics in China will not include animal tests.

HSI states the news was “encouraging” but does not guarantee that no animal testing will ever happen again, explaining post-market and pre-market animal testing for imported cosmetics remains as before.

Michelle Thew, Cruelty Free International Chief Executive, added, “At this stage, this does not automatically mean that brands can import to China overnight and be cruelty free .”

China Approves Non-Animal Cosmetics Tests in 2019?

In April 2019, China approve two new non-animal test methods for the regulation of cosmetic ingredients. This brings the total to nine animal-free tests in which China has approved, so far.

In a statement by the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) announced China’s acceptance of certain non-animal (alternative) test methods for the regulation of cosmetics that will go into effect January 1, 2020, and will be the preferred toxicological tests for the registration and pre-market approval of cosmetic ingredients.

This recent announcement has many people assuming China no longer requires animal tests for all cosmetics, but that’s unfortunately not the case.

It is great news that China is working towards alternative tests that doesn’t involve animals and hopefully the day that China will no longer require animal tests for all cosmetics will be possible, sooner rather than later, but China isn’t there yet!

Cosmetic Ingredients vs. Final Formulations

The issue with the recent announcement of China’s approval of these nine non-animal test methods is that they’re not a complete replacement to all animal test methods in China.

The newly approved and preferred non-animal toxicological tests only apply for the regulation and pre-market approval of cosmetic ingredients but they were not validated for final formulations.

This means the alternative test methods are the preferred option for cosmetic ingredients, but not for final formulations and therefore China still requires foreign cosmetic companies to consent to have their products tested on animals before they can be sold in stores in China.

So.. Does China Still Require Animal Testing for Cosmetics in 2019?

Currently, China does require all imported cosmetics and special-use cosmetics that are sold in store shelves in China to be tested on animals.

There are also no confirmed reports stating China no longer requires animal testing for all imported or special-use cosmetics.

What are China’s Current Animal Testing Laws? (April 2019)

As of right now, China’s animal testing laws remain unchanged. China still requires all imported cosmetics and special-use cosmetics to be tested on animals.

We advise cruelty-free shoppers to continue to avoid brands that are currently sold in mainland China.

China’s acceptance of these nine animal-alternative test methods is a step in the right direction but is not safe to assume all animal-test methods have been replaced with these nine non-animal test methods.