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Body Shop removes all its products from Chinese duty-free stores Body Shop removes all its products from Chinese duty-free stores
(6 months later)
The Body Shop has removed all its products from duty-free shelves in China after it was revealed the ethical company’s products were at risk of testing on animals by the country’s authorities.The Body Shop has removed all its products from duty-free shelves in China after it was revealed the ethical company’s products were at risk of testing on animals by the country’s authorities.
On Tuesday, an investigation by consumer watchdog Choice said the cruelty-free cosmetic company was selling its products in Chinese airports, and thus its products could be randomly tested on animals by Chinese authorities.On Tuesday, an investigation by consumer watchdog Choice said the cruelty-free cosmetic company was selling its products in Chinese airports, and thus its products could be randomly tested on animals by Chinese authorities.
Later that evening, the Body Shop released a statement in which it restated its policy of no animal testing and claimed the Beijing and Shanghai airport duty-free stores “are treated differently to mainland Chinese mandatory regulation”.Later that evening, the Body Shop released a statement in which it restated its policy of no animal testing and claimed the Beijing and Shanghai airport duty-free stores “are treated differently to mainland Chinese mandatory regulation”.
“We do not believe that post-market surveillance testing on animals is applied and have no knowledge it has been,” the company said.“We do not believe that post-market surveillance testing on animals is applied and have no knowledge it has been,” the company said.
A spokeswoman for the Body Shop Australia told Guardian Australia on Wednesday all products had been removed from shelves at the two airport stores while it worked with Chinese authorities to determine the full nature of the post-market testing.A spokeswoman for the Body Shop Australia told Guardian Australia on Wednesday all products had been removed from shelves at the two airport stores while it worked with Chinese authorities to determine the full nature of the post-market testing.
“We still maintain that we’re very much committed to our cruelty-free values,” she said. “We’re working very closely with Chinese authorities to get to the bottom of what’s happening.“We still maintain that we’re very much committed to our cruelty-free values,” she said. “We’re working very closely with Chinese authorities to get to the bottom of what’s happening.
“While it is a short-term thing, we will not waiver on our cruelty-free commitment. If it comes about that there’s any reason to be concerned, we will absolutely stay out of the [Chinese] market,” she said.“While it is a short-term thing, we will not waiver on our cruelty-free commitment. If it comes about that there’s any reason to be concerned, we will absolutely stay out of the [Chinese] market,” she said.
Choice said Tuesday’s statement suggested the company had not done its homework before entering the Chinese market.Choice said Tuesday’s statement suggested the company had not done its homework before entering the Chinese market.
“We would expect of a brand like the Body Shop that it would do its homework and have clear commitments that there is no animal testing,” Choice’s chief executive, Alan Kirkland, told Guardian Australia.“We would expect of a brand like the Body Shop that it would do its homework and have clear commitments that there is no animal testing,” Choice’s chief executive, Alan Kirkland, told Guardian Australia.
“We had been trying to contact L’Oreal and the Body Shop for two weeks for statements … and they largely deflected our requests. Then late yesterday this statement comes out and it still fails to clarify their position.”“We had been trying to contact L’Oreal and the Body Shop for two weeks for statements … and they largely deflected our requests. Then late yesterday this statement comes out and it still fails to clarify their position.”
While airport-sold products are not subject to mandatory animal testing required for general sale in China, duty-free sales are still subject to random post-market testing, which can include tests on animals. While airport-sold products are not subject to mandatory animal testing required for general sale in China, duty-free sales are still subject to random post-market testing, which can include tests on animals.
Choice said this was too great a risk for a company that identifies itself by its ethical stance.Choice said this was too great a risk for a company that identifies itself by its ethical stance.
“Chinese officials have said to us there is no way that a product sold in airports could be guaranteed to be exempt from that. There is no way they can guarantee those products are not tested on animals,” Kirkland said. “Chinese officials have said to us there is no way that a product sold in airports could be guaranteed to be exempt from that. There is no way they can guarantee those products are not tested on animals,” Kirkland said.
“ ‘Against animal testing’ was their tagline for many years, and it still is a central selling point for consumers. We just think you can’t have it both ways; you can’t be against animal testing and sell in China at the same time.”“ ‘Against animal testing’ was their tagline for many years, and it still is a central selling point for consumers. We just think you can’t have it both ways; you can’t be against animal testing and sell in China at the same time.”
China will enact new regulations from June allowing domestically produced cosmetics to avoid mandatory animal testing. The amendments will not apply to international imports, however, and the Humane Society International predicts post-market testing is likely to be strengthened.China will enact new regulations from June allowing domestically produced cosmetics to avoid mandatory animal testing. The amendments will not apply to international imports, however, and the Humane Society International predicts post-market testing is likely to be strengthened.
The Body Shop said at the time of the announcement of the new regulations that it would “explore opportunities” in China once it had more details.The Body Shop said at the time of the announcement of the new regulations that it would “explore opportunities” in China once it had more details.
“As the first beauty company to take action against animal testing for cosmetics, these reports mark a truly historic moment,” its chief executive and chairman, Jeremy Schwartz, said.“As the first beauty company to take action against animal testing for cosmetics, these reports mark a truly historic moment,” its chief executive and chairman, Jeremy Schwartz, said.