Cosmetic companies and animal rights groups have welcomed a proposal by China to allow sales of some cosmetics without requiring them to be tested on animals . Animal testing would no longer be mandatory for `` non-specialized cosmetics '' , including shampoo , soaps and certain skin products manufactured in China from June next year , according to a document posted on the website of the China Food and Drug Administration earlier this month . Beauty companies have long faced an ugly dilemma in China . Local laws and regulations require animal testing for cosmetic products sold in the country , which has made the lucrative market a tricky area for brands that want to sell in China without alienating consumers in other places that frown upon animal testing . `` Non-specialized cosmetics produced in China could avoid toxicological testing after going through risk and safety checks , '' the China Food and Drug Administration said . Imported cosmetics are not covered in the proposal . But the document indicated that China would gradually ease regulations on animal testing , which would allow more international firms opposed to animal testing to enter China 's 134 billion yuan ( $ 22 billion ) cosmetics market . Current regulations require all cosmetics to go through a lengthy approval process known as `` toxicological testing '' which involves testing on animals like rabbits and guinea pigs . `` The Body Shop welcomes the signals that the Chinese authorities are adopting a new approach to cosmetic testing , '' spokeswoman Louise Terry said in emailed comments from London . `` We have campaigned against animal testing for over 20 years and we look forward to selling our products in China one day . '' Cosmetic brand Urban Decay last year abandoned plans to sell its products in China in response to pressure from consumers and campaign groups , according to Cruelty Free International . Dave Neale , animal welfare director at campaign group Animal Asia , told CNN the planned changes had come quicker than expected given that local campaigns against animal testing have only been going for two years . `` That 's a very significant development because it took many years for European Union to allow these products to be sold ( without being tested on animals ) . '' Earlier this year , a complete ban on the sale of cosmetics developed through animal testing took effect in the European Union . But Neale added that this proposal would not mark the end of animal testing in China . `` As far as I 'm aware , products can still be tested on animals . It just opens the opportunity for non-animal products to be sold , '' he said .
China considers allowing sale of some cosmetics without requiring them to be tested on animals . Comment: Campaign group said change came quicker than expected . But does not expect wholesale end to animal testing of cosmetics in China .