May 14, 2012

Following an initiative from PETA's US branch, Chinese officials would be in the final stages of approving the use of the country's very first non-animal test method for cosmetics ingredients.

According to the animal rights organization, scientists funded by its US branch have successfully guided Chinese officials towards the recognition of a first alternative method to animal testing.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) was concerned that despite many cosmetics companies have pledged to cease any animal testing, they were nevertheless required to perform such tests in order to market their products in China. PETA US thus awarded a grant to scientists at the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) late last year, to meet Chinese officials and share their expertise and guidance.

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full story:
http://www.premiumbeautynews.com/en/china-to-approve-non-animal,4109

May 8, 2012

Contact:

Kathy Guillermo +1-757-943-7443; KathyG@peta.org

Ashley Fruno +852-6718-4282 (Hong Kong, PETA Asia);
AshleyF@PETAAsiaPacific.com

China Poised to Accept First-Ever Non-Animal Test Method for Cosmetics

PETA Grant Enables Scientists to Guide Chinese Officials in Non-Animal Test
Use

Beijing -- Chinese officials are in the final stages of approving the use of the country's very first non-animal test method for cosmetics ingredients, thanks to guidance from scientists funded by PETA US. The 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Assay, which tests chemicals for their potential toxicity when they come into contact with sunlight and is already in wide use in the U.S. and the E.U., is scheduled to be accepted in China by late summer. Before now, China has required cosmetics companies to test ingredients and products only on animals.

PETA US awarded a grant to scientists at the Institute for In Vitro Sciences http://www.iivs.org/ late last year after learning that China was requiring cosmetics companies Avon, Estee Lauder, and Mary Kay -- which had been on PETA's list of companies that don't test cosmetics on animals http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx for decades -- to pay for tests on animals in order to market their products in China. Scientists from IIVS traveled to China several times to offer their expertise and guidance.

"We're delighted that this grant has helped jump-start the acceptance of non-animal tests in China and grateful to Chinese officials for being so open to these discussions," says PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker. "We congratulate them for acting swiftly to implement the first of several available non-animal tests."

For more information, please visit http://www.peta.org/