China is expected to be the world’s largest cosmetic market in a few years – and is in rapid growth. Despite being a lucrative export market for global cosmetics brands, mandatory animal testing of imported cosmetics still forms an effective trade barrier for cosmetic brands that refuse to employ animal test. Presently, the animal test requirements in China apply to all imported cosmetics, however, China has already removed the requirement of mandatory animal test from domestically manufacturer non-special use cosmetics.

As a result of a unique collaboration between CFI, Knudsen&CRC and Fengpu Industrial Park, the Leaping Bunny China Project will use the option for domestically manufactured cosmetics to enable foreign companies to avoid animal testing when selling on the Chinese market. To secure that no animal test has been involved in the Leaping Bunny China Pilot Project, the project involves local manufacturing of foreign cosmetics combined with strict supervision of the mandatory safety assessment tests. The partnership with oriental Beauty Valley in the Fengxian Industrial Park provides an additional safeguard of the process as manufacturing and testing will take place within this cosmetic manufacturing and innovation zone just outside of Shanghai, supervised by Knudsen&CRC.

The Leaping Bunny certification is recognized as the leading global program for companies who wish to demonstrate that no animal testing of products or ingredients has been conducted throughout the supply chain. This Leaping Bunny in China Pilot Project could pave the way for international cosmetic brands that don’t test on animals to enter the Chinese market. It also allows Chinese companies to become certified under the CFI Leaping Bunny programme.