France is now the first EU country able to export “ordinary” cruelty-free cosmetics to China.
France’s ANSM develop dedicated platform for certificate application process
French beauty companies can now apply, via a dedicated online platform developed by France’s ANSM, for a certificate of “good manufacturing practice”. This will enable them to export “ordinary” cosmetic products, without prior animal testing, to the Chinese market. Beauty and personal care manufacturers will have to provide a certificate of conformity demonstrating their product complies with manufacturing and product safety standards.
However, this allowance only covers “ordinary” cosmetics. This includes products for everyday use (hair care, nail care, makeup, perfumes etc.), and excludes “special” cosmetics such as hair dye and sun care products.
The French Federation for Beauty Companies (FEBEA) call this a “decisive breakthrough” as China was previously renowned for their requirement of mandatory animal testing in their own labs, on all cosmetics imported into the country. This comes as a relief to animal welfare groups who have been campaigning for years. Cruelty-free French beauty players will also be pleased as they were previously unable to enter the Chinese market without compromising their ethics.
“We are happy to continue to develop regulations in other parts of the world”
Patrick O’Quinn, president of the FEBEA commented on their website: “We are delighted with this progress, which rewards several years of efforts made with the Chinese authorities. The cosmetics sector is the only one to have completely banned animal testing in Europe, and we are happy to continue to develop regulations in other parts of the world. This agreement will also allow French cosmetic companies to export under new conditions to China.”
