After nearly two decades of touting their “no animal testing” policies, cosmetic giants Avon, Estée Lauder, and Mary Kay have reportedly resumed paying for animal testing, without informing consumers about their change in practices.

PETA has confirmed with each company that chemicals are indeed being dripped into rabbits’ eyes and that substances are being rubbed onto animals’ skin because of requirements of the Chinese government (China requires tests on animals before many cosmetics products can be marketed there).

Avon’s website currently describes their animal testing policy as follows:

On June 2, 1989, Avon announced a permanent end to all animal testing of our products, including testing done in outside laboratories. Avon was the first major cosmetic company in the world to end animal testing.

However, the policy also mentions that “Avon will conduct animal testing only when required by law, at the request of government health or medical authorities, and only after having first attempted to persuade the requesting authority to accept non-animal test data.”

Estée Lauders policy includes similar language. It states “We do not conduct animal testing on our products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law.”

Not surprisingly, Mary Kay also touts their commitment to elimination of animal testing,  except, of course, “when absolutely required by law.”

What’s not clear from the PETA report is when these companies started testing on animals to comply with Chinese laws and whether this is truly a change in policy. Based on the language in the company policies on this issue, its quite possible that the practice has been going on for years.

Fortunately, there are still thousands of cosmetic companies that don’t test on animals.

Click here to take a moment to let Avon, Mary Kay, and Estée Lauder know that you are disappointed in their backsliding and that you will no longer buy the companies’ products as long they are tested on animals.

Image Source: Daniel Hall/Flickr