Fans of the makeup brand NARS are angry after the makeup giant announced it would be going back on its cruelty-free promise, a move the company says is necessary for it to enter the Chinese market.
Many took to social media to voice their concerns over the company’s decision, which eventually caused enough backlash for NARS to issue a statement clarifying its decision on the company’s social media pages.
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“We want you to know that we hear you,” the statement reads on Instagram. “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.”
The company says it decided to make NARS available in China because they feel it’s important to bring their vision of “beauty and artistry” to fans in the country.
“NARS does not test on animals or ask others to do so on our behalf, except when required by law. NARS is committed and actively working to advance alternative testing methods.”
They end their statement saying, “NARS is hopeful that together, we can work toward a cruelty-free world.”
Despite the issued statement, fans continue to accuse the makeup giant of putting profit before principles, and have even called for a boycott of the makeup company.
Imported cosmetics and skincare products are mandated by the Chinese government to test on animals before they’re allowed to sell their products in the Chinese market, both The Independent and CNBC report.
According to CNBC, other major foreign brands like Estée Lauder, Proctor & Gamble and L’Oréal are among other beauty brands believed to test their products on animals in order to sell in China.
However, the companies have issues statements on their website concerning their animal testing practices.
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“The Estée Lauder Companies does not test on animals and we never ask others to do so on our behalf,” The Estée Lauder Companies commented on their website. “If a regulatory body demands it for its safety or regulatory assessment, an exception can be made. Our consumers can be certain that we are committed to producing only the highest quality beauty products which meet our exacting efficacy, safety and ethical standards.”
“At P&G, we believe that eliminating animal testing is the right thing to do,” Proctor & Gamble’s website reads. “We do not test our products or ingredients on animals anywhere in the world unless required by law. We are working hard to make it obsolete.”
“Well before the question of animal testing was raised by civil society or within a regulatory framework, L’Oréal has been committed to new methods of assessing safety that don’t involve animals,” L’Oréal states on their website. “Certain health authorities may nevertheless decide to conduct animal tests themselves for certain cosmetic products, as it is still the case in China.”
Global News has reached out to Estée Lauder, Proctor & Gamble and L’Oréal for further comment, but Global News did not hear back before publication.