Cosmetics and China - what this means for animal testing

The subject of animal testing within cosmetics is always a hot topic. It has been banned in the UK since 1998 and there are a whole load of different countries considering a ban and a re-think on their policies.
However, there is one problem - the Chinese market and Chinese animal testing laws. There has been an incredible growth within the fashion and beauty sector in China lately (an increase of 18& and an extra £10 billion if you believe the Daily Mail this morning) and companies looking to expand their companies into China have been left in an awkward position.
All cosmetics selling in and to China have to be tested on animals before human use. If the company is considering selling their products in China - then it will not matter that majority of their products are sold in the Uk, or America - they will still be involved in animal testing and the support of animal testing. This means the loss of this guy :

This is the leaping bunny - a symbol of cruelty free cosmetics and non animal testing. Recently companies such as L'Occtane and Yves Rocher have lost their leaping bunnies as they decided to move into China. However there are some companies with backbone and ethics before profits - Urban Decay cancelled their plans to expand after they learned about the animal testing law.

Oh and did I mention that companies will be expected to financially back the testing?

LEAPING BUNNY APPROVED 

Paul Mitchell           

Urban Decay

Sainbury's               

Marks & Spencer

Liz Earle                 

Faith In Nature

The Co-operative   

Burt's Bees                    

Dermalogica           

NON-APPROVED COMPANIES
L'Occitane                      Yves Rocher
Caudalie                         Mary Kay
Avon                              
Revlon                            Garnier
L'Oreal                           Chanel
Johnson & Johnson       FCUK
Clinique                          Christian Dior
Givenchy                        Yves Saint Laurent
Lancome                        Virgin Vie
Yardley                           Proctor & Gamble

I am very against animal testing and I'm quite surprised at some of the brands listed here. In fact, more then just surprised. I had heard about the animal testing /Chinese law issue back in Feb but I wasn't sure how this would affect companies and if there were any ways that a company could get around the law. However it doesn't seem like too many companies are bothered by it and continue to test and support testing on animals. Keep in mind the scale of this as well - a lot of the these companies are actually brands which own a lot of other brands. 

It's such a shame.