Urban Decay cosmetics announced recently that they would be selling their products in China, and the news sparked outrage amongst animal advocates and organizations. Why?The company would be required to test their products on animals in order to sell there.
Urban Decay has claimed to be a cruelty-free company firmly opposed to animal testing, so the news was a shock to many. Their animal testing policy states, “We do not test our finished products on animals, nor do we allow others to test on our behalf. Additionally, we require our suppliers to certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are not tested on animals. Our practices are certified by both PETA and The Leaping Bunny Program (CCIC) as cruelty-free.”
Several petitions were launched asking the company to back out of selling in China, and PETA warned that Urban Decay had been removed from their cruelty-free list after they “let down caring consumers everywhere.” Now, the cosmetics company has made another announcement: they will not be selling their products in China.
Urban Decay writes, “After careful consideration of many issues, we have decided not to start selling Urban Decay products in China. While several factors were important in reaching this decision, ultimately we did not feel we could comply with current regulations in China and remain true to our core principles. We know there are many progressive consumers in China who would embrace an opportunity to purchase non-animal tested products – our hope remains that we have the chance to offer Urban Decay products to these consumers someday in the future.”
They add, “Since our founding in 1996, we have been committed to ending animal testing in the cosmetics industry. As demonstrated by the renewed support we have received from organizations like PETA and the CCIC, this principle remains at our core.”
It makes you wonder why a company that so firmly stated its stance against animal testing was even considering this option, and I hope Urban Decay won’t allow animals to suffer for profit in the future. For now, this goes to show you that public outcry from consumers in support of animals can make a difference.
Photo credit: Elena Itsenko / http://www.shutterstock.com
About Jennifer Mishler
Jennifer is an animal advocate and activist. She is a volunteer coordinator with The Girls Gone Green, a nonprofit organization advocating for animals rights, veganism, and environmentalism. She is also an Onshore Volunteer with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and a volunteer with CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm, a nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates farm animals. Along with writing for Ecorazzi, she writes about veganism and animal rights on her blog, A Dog's Eye View. She lives in Jacksonville, FL with her husband and their three animal friends. Follow Jennifer on Twitter: @jennygoneveganView all posts by Jennifer Mishler →
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http://twitter.com/Winafish Remy Chevalier
