China is considering a rule change that would allow the sale of some cosmetics without requiring them to be tested on animals.

Under the potential changes, “non-specialised cosmetics” manufactured in China — such as shampoos, soaps, nail products and some skin products — could be sold from June 2014 without undergoing animal testing, according to the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA).

This may enable cosmetic companies that are oppossed to animal testing, like The Body Shop, which is wholly-owned by L’Oreal S.A., to sell in the country.

The Body Shop said they welcome the signal that the Chinese authorities are adopting a new approach to testing for cosmetics for domestically manufactured ordinary products.

The Body Shop’s CEO and Chairman Jeremy Schwartz comments, “As the first beauty company to take action against animal testing for cosmetics, these reports mark a truly historic moment. We congratulate the Chinese authorities for this important decision.”

The Body Shop was the first and most long-standing cosmetics company to take action on the issue of animal testing for cosmetic purposes. It started its campaign in 1989 and was the first major voice on the subject. All The Body Shop products are both vegetarian and none are tested on animals. This principal was established in 1989. The Body Shop was the first international cosmetics company to be certified under the Humane Cosmetics Standard.

In 1996 The Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick (shown) joined Cruelty Free International’s founding organisation the BUAV, and its European partners, in presenting a petition of 4 million signatures to the European Commission.

Today, The Body Shop continues to support its founding message that animal testing should be banned and also supports Cruelty Free International’s call for a global end to animal testing for cosmetics.

In March 2013, The Body Shop celebrated the EU Ban which ended the import and sale of animal testing across the region.

In October 2013, The Body Shop presented Cruelty Free International with over 1 million signatures from customers across the world supporting the introduction of a global ban.

The Body Shop will continue to campaign to stop the testing of cosmetics in all countries around the world.