China considering easing rules on animal testing for some cosmetics

Adan Jourdan and Clare Baldwin (2013) reports that, China is planning in easing rules on animal testing for some cosmetics.  From 2014, the non-specialized cosmetics that are manufactured in China for example, shampoos, soaps, nail products and some skin products could be sold without having to be tested on animals. This is seen as a plus for firms such as L’Oreal that has been planning to enter the market although this will mean that the firm has to manufacture the products in China and only deal with specific product lines as opposed to selling a wide range of cosmetics in China. Animal rights groups welcomed the proposed changes, but said that this would not mark the end of animal testing in China as ingredients used for cosmetics may still have to go through an approval process involving animal tests.

Reference:

Jourdan, A. and Baldwin, C. (2013) ‘China considering easing rules on animal testing for some cosmetics’, Reuters, 13 November, Available at:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/13/china-cosmetics-animaltesting-idUSL2N0IU0BZ20131113 (Accessed: 15 December 2013)