China to Approve its First Non-animal Testing Method for Cosmetics Ingredients

 - May 17, 2012    Following to guidance from PETA-funded scientists, Chinese officials are now in the final stages of approving the country's first non-animal testing method for cosmetics ingredients.  According to PETA, the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Phototoxicity Assay, which tests chemicals for their potential toxicity when they come into contact with sunlight-and which is already in widespread use in the U.S. and the E.U.-is expected to be accepted in China by late summer.  Last year, when Chinese Officials discovered that China was requiring animal tests for cosmetics to be funded by cosmetics companies-including Avon, Estée Lauder, and Mary Kay, which for years had been on PETA's list of companies that don't test cosmetics on animals-PETA awarded a grant to scientists at the Institute for In Vitro Sciences. These scientists traveled to China several times to offer their expertise and guidance in replacing animal-based tests-which are cruel and unreliable-with non-animal alternatives.  PETA is delighted to have helped jump-start the acceptance of non-animal tests in China and congratulates Chinese officials for acting swiftly to implement the first in a wide range of non-animal tests.  About People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it says it is the largest animal rights group in the world. Its slogan is "animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment." 

Source: PETA