China To End Animal Testing for Imported ‘Ordinary’ Cosmetics

China is eliminating required animal testing for imported “ordinary” cosmetics, according to the country's National Medical Products Administration. The move goes into effect in May. Under China's system, ordinary cosmetics are products that do no make active claims such as “anti-aging.” Ordinary cosmetics account for the majority of cosmetics sales China. According to the NMPA, ordinary cosmetics will be exempt from animal testing as long as companies provide a safety assessment and obtain good manufacturing practices certificates from relevant regional authority in their home countries.

The move is welcomed by international beauty companies that are eager to enter the world's No. 2 beauty market, but are leery of conducting animal safety testing. Many companies, including Estée Lauder, Procter & Gamble and Unilever, support animal testing bans.