WORKING TO ABOLISH ANIMAL TESTING

We, like you, hate the fact that animal testing still exists. Decades ago, M·A·C was one of the first beauty companies to use alternatives to animal testing. Alternatives exist, but they aren’t accepted everywhere. Even though we don’t test on animals ourselves, but because of requirements by law, our products or ingredients can be tested on animals in places like China. If we had our way alternatives would be accepted everywhere, and we are trying to make that happen. We recently partnered with the INSTITUTE FOR IN VITRO SCIENCES (IIVS), whose mission it is to expand the use and acceptance of non-animal testing methods worldwide. By funding IIVS’s International Outreach Program, which provides support to scientists and helps spread the acceptance of alternatives, we are working to make a difference. M·A·C has taken on hard issues before and we are committed to abolishing animal testing. M·A·C is working toward a future where animal testing doesn’t exist.

 

 

FAQ

Here are the answers to some of the questions we get asked most often. If you have others, please CLICK HERE to email us and we’ll get back to you. We want to keep the conversation going.

 

How does M·A·C test its products for safety and efficacy?
We use human volunteers and we conduct or commission in vitro testing.

Does M·A·C test on animals?
Even though we don’t test on animals ourselves, but because of requirements by law, our products or ingredients can be tested on animals in places like China.

What does “requirements by law” mean?
Some scientific or regulatory authorities may still conduct or require animal testing of cosmetic products or ingredients to demonstrate safety. For example, before we are able to import any of our products into China, the Chinese government requires all importers of cosmetics to pay for animal testing that is conducted by a government-mandated laboratory in China.

Why does the Chinese government require testing on animals?
A government such as China could require animal testing to validate cosmetic safety because they have not yet accepted alternative methods. Since they are responsible for the safety of their citizens, we understand their caution.

Does M·A·C own any animal testing facilities?
No. We don’t own any animal testing facilities anywhere in the world.

If animal testing is required by law in China and you care so much about animals, why don’t you pull out of the Chinese market?
Just like you, we don’t like animal testing. M·A·C is committed to making sure animal testing requirements are abolished worldwide. We have also committed to selling our products in China. We believe in changing the system (and ourselves) from within.

What is the Institute for In Vitro Sciences?
The Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) develops and implements programs in countries where in vitro testing is not accepted in order to educate scientists on the scientifically validated safety record of these methods. We are proud to announce a new partnership with the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) to help ensure that alternative testing becomes the global standard. By funding IIVS’s International Outreach Program (IOP), we are working to make a difference. The IOP provides a wide array of support including technical assistance in the form of lectures, workshops and hands-on training sessions to countries that rely on animal testing to determine the safety of products or ingredients.