NARS Releases Statement On Animal Testing As It Plans To Sell In China
The brand will now start selling in China — which requires animal testing on cosmetics
Most major beauty brands have adopted a cruelty-free policy against animal testing—that is, unless their products are sold in China, where local regulations demand cosmetics be tested on animals like rabbits and guinea pigs before they’re sold to the public. NARS Cosmetics just released a statement on Instagram detailing its commitment against animal testing, while also coming clean about the brand’s decision to start selling products in China. Needless to say, the Internet is not happy.
“The global elimination of animal testing needs to happen. We firmly believe that product and ingredient safety can be proven by non-animal methods, but we must comply with the local laws of the markets in which we operate, including in China. We have decided to make NARS available in China because we feel it is important to bring our vision of beauty and artistry to fans in the region,” read the brand’s statement. “NARS is committed and actively working to advance alternative testing methods. We are proud to support the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), a globally recognized organization at the forefront of advancing non-animal methods in China and around the world.”
So while NARS doesn’t test on animals, and neither do other beauty companies like Estée Lauder, Proctor & Gamble, or L’Oréal Paris, by entering the Chinese marketplace their products could be tested on animals should a “regulatory” body “demand” it before sale. This potential risk is enough to turn many cruelty-free makeup advocates against these brands for good.
“You’re obviously not hearing us. If putting an end to animal testing is so important to you, you would pull out of China. I really loved your products but can’t support a company that chooses profit over ethics. #byenars,” wrote one fan on Instagram. Another noted that this news was “so incredibly disappointing.” The comment section is flooded with comments criticising the company’s decision, with some taking their frustration to Twitter:
So @NARSissist goes from being cruelty free to animal testing so they can make money in China. Rather disgraceful #nars
— Chelle (@mindthebat) June 27, 2017
Extremely dissapointed in Nars. Dont say you understand animal testing should be in the past when you're now deciding to do it.
— Kortnie (@ImKortnie) June 27, 2017
For what it’s worth, China has made steps toward eliminating the need for animal testing by adopting in-vitro lab methods, though the practice is still not widely adopted throughout the country. Back in 2013, the European Union banned the import and sale of cosmetics with ingredients obtained through animal testing. In the United States, the responsibility falls on the manufacturer to utilise whatever testing method they deem safest or most appropriate. Harpersbazaar.com reached out to NARS Cosmetics for further comment and will update this post when we hear back.