Update: The latest animal testing regulations in China

China’s cosmetics animal testing requirements have evolved significantly in recent years.  Since 1 May 2021, brands have been able to sell imported general cosmetics in mainland China without having to pay for harsh animal testing. While this does not guarantee that all cruelty-free cosmetic businesses will be permitted to sell in China, it is a major step in the right direction.

The exemption framework has continued to develop. In July 2026, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) expanded the scope of cosmetics that may qualify for exemptions from submitting toxicological test reports, including certain special cosmetics and general cosmetics containing new cosmetic ingredients. These changes further shift China’s cosmetics regulatory framework toward a more risk-based approach while maintaining specific safety and documentation requirements.

Learn more here.

China Expands Animal Testing Data Exemptions in 2026

• Certain special cosmetics can now qualify for exemptions, including hair perm products and non-oxidative hair dyes.
  
• Physically covering freckle-removing and whitening products may also qualify for the exemption.
  
• General cosmetics containing new cosmetic ingredients may qualify, although children’s cosmetics using new ingredients are excluded.
  
• Exemption is not automatic. Brands must provide qualifying manufacturing quality certification or equivalent documentation and sufficient scientific evidence through a product safety risk assessment.
  
• Meeting China’s exemption requirements does not automatically mean a product meets third-party cruelty-free certification standards, which may use broader criteria.

However, brands should assess their products and regulatory pathway individually before making cruelty-free claims.

Consumer Trust and Transparency in Cruelty-Free Beauty

According to PETA, more than 6000 brands are cruelty-free. The problem is that the term cruelty-free is not regulated, which is why it may compromise the integrity of your brand to trade in China, where animal testing was highly prevalent despite the new act mentioned above. 

• How can your consumers trust that you are still truly cruelty-free? 
• Is it valuable for your brand to start trading in China when you have built a loyal customer base outside of China who trust that your brand is truly cruelty-free based on the fact that you do not sell your products in China?

It comes down to a matter of ethics for cruelty-free brands and even many clean beauty brands, as oftentimes cruelty-free is included in being clean; brands cannot be vegan but test on animals, nor is it possible to be sustainable for the environment without considering animal testing as well.

What do consumers want?

• 54% are looking for cruelty-free products.
• 50% are looking for paraben-free products.
• 31% are looking for organically produced products.
• 30% are looking for alcohol-free products.
• 28% are looking for fragrance-free products.
• 25% are looking for pigment-free products.
• 11% are looking for vegan products.

Growing Demand for Clean and Cruelty-Free Beauty 

According to Grand View Research, the global clean beauty market was valued at over USD 10.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to surpass USD 35 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of nearly 16.8%. 

Increasing demand for beauty products with more caution and awareness for skin, as well as a surge in the launch of more sophisticated and clean beauty products for better skin care, are some important factors driving the growth of the clean beauty market. The global cruelty-free cosmetics market was valued at USD 14.84 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 23.54 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 6.8% between 2024 and 2030, based on data from Grand View Research.

This new animal testing development in China may be a step in the right direction, but it still requires more investigation in order to uphold the integrity of your brand and keep the trust of your consumers who value clean beauty and cruelty-free cosmetics.