Nars enters the Chinese market despite commitment to cruelty-free products

By

Emily Jensen

Published
Jun 28, 2017

The makeup brand has long promoted itself as cruelty-free, however its foray into the Chinese market will require it by law to test its products on animals.

 
Nars responded to fans’ outcry over its decision to expand to China, and therefore test its products on animals in accordance with Chinese law, in a lengthy Instagram post. There the brand stated its commitment to ending animal testing, while acknowledging its desire to expand its reach to China.
 
“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. We have decided to make NARS available in China because we feel it is important to bring our vision of beauty and artistry to fans in the region. NARS does not test on animals or ask others to do so on our behalf, except where required by law.”

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The brand also stated its support for the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), which is advancing non-animal methods in China and around the world. “NARS is hopeful that together, we can work toward a cruelty-free world,” the brand added in its Instagram post.
 
Many fans however took to Twitter and Instagram to say that they would stop supporting the brand, with some asking the brand to change its decision to sell in China.
 
In addition to its expansion to the Chinese market, Nars has also increased its presence in Asia with the opening of its first store in Vietnam. The makeup brand was founded in New York City in 1994 by makeup artist François Nars and acquired by Japanese company Shiseido in 2000.