Urban Decay decides not to sell in China

[#1]

Urban Decay Decides Not to Sell in China

After careful consideration of many issues, we have decided not to start selling Urban Decay products in China. While several factors were important in reaching this decision, ultimately we did not feel we could comply with current regulations in China and remain true to our core principles. We know there are many progressive consumers in China who would embrace an opportunity to purchase non-animal tested products – our hope remains that we have the chance to offer Urban Decay products to these consumers someday in the future.

Following our initial announcement, we realized that we needed to step back, carefully review our original plan, and talk to a number of individuals and organizations that were interested in our decision. We regret that we were unable to respond immediately to many of the questions we received, and appreciate the patience our customers have shown as we worked through this difficult issue.

Since our founding in 1996, we have been committed to ending animal testing in the cosmetics industry. As demonstrated by the renewed support we have received from organizations like PETA and the CCIC, this principle remains at our core. Urban Decay does not test its finished products on animals, nor do we allow others to test on our behalf, and we require our suppliers to certify that the raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are not tested on animals. Urban Decay is proud to be100% cruelty-free.

If you have additional questions, please email us at info@urbandecay.com.

I dont care but thoughts?

[#2]

Hi Sephoramusthave,

Thank you for posting this information about Urban Decays decision to not sell their products in China.http://bit.ly/KpYQTw. It's great to hear everyone's opinions about this topic. @Thank you also Prettyinpa for including the link to the post that lists brands that do not test on animals. We really appreciate it!

[#3]

I think it's laudable that UD decided not to sell it's products in China because of their animal testing. There really isn't any reason that cosmetics need to be tested on animals, there are perfectly adequate tissue culture options, it's just cheaper to be cruel. I really respect a company that will forgo profit for humane reasons. It's important to me, and I will definitely shop with that in mind. Not that I need another reason to shop, especially UD, but if I can be kind with my shopping, then I'm all for it.

[#4]

Thanks for the info..I hadnt heard anything regarding this issue. I guess when I think abut it, I am glad that UD decided to not go to China if it meant compromising what the company believed in, and if that's no animal testing, then they made a business sacrifice. I'm sure while China would benefit from UD being sold there, UD wouldn't want to risk losing business in the US bc of animal testing. I definitely don't support testing on animals for makeup purposes, but maybe I'm just ignorant to the whole thing. I thought that animal testing for makeup was really a thing of the past in the US. I just assumed it was and never bothered to check out which brands do or don't. Any specific ones you guys know of that does test on animals?

[#5]

@makeupobsessed:  Tiffanybt posted this thread a while back.  http://community.sephora.com/t5/Products/Animal-Testing/td-p/142511  You can probably also find other sites that tend to be more active.  

Why animal testing is a double edge sword is because without it (in the past especially), there would be many people without the essential pharmaceuticals for everyday living.  Diabetics for example. 

Although certain medical experiments in hand could be called human testing.  History has examples of the good and bad. 

There are many reasons why companies and countries still use it in cosmetics; costs (insurance, etc), counterfeit, etc.  Whether it is right or not is morally out there to debate.  For those who are firm believers in products that are not tested on animals, stick by it.  Speak with your wallet.

For some companies, animal testing is a thing of the past or they never did it to begin with.  The majority of places that do no test will label it somewhere on their site or in their FAQs.

[#6]

Thank you for posting info to lists that do/do not test on animals, prettyinpa and ran8!

I'm glad UD decided not to sell.  As a big animal lover, I'm not for animal testing and whatnot.  Heck, I ball my eyes out at Beethoven when the "vet" is about to shoot Beethoven.  I doubt UD was in dire need of extra profits or anything of the short.  I'm sure more sales for them would be nice, but it's not like they're going under or anything like that, ya know.

[#7]

I do applaud the decision of the company too.it had to be a tough choice as China is one of the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China) they have a burgeoning middle class with disposable income. Many companies are lining up to enter because of the profits that could be made there. This is actually big news. Good for Urban Decay!

[#8]

@makeupobsessed- For up to date information on which companies test on animals go to PETA's website.  BT moderator tiffany did a big post on which products carried by Sephora do not test on animals, here's the link:

http://community.sephora.com/t5/Products/Animal-Testing/m-p/142511/highlight/true#M566

[#9]

From a business standpoint, there are potential customers in China.  Selling in China also expands their market growth.  Luxury-type products tend to have a higher demand in certain countries.   

However, I do applaud Urban Decay for staying true to themselves and sticking to their mission of not testing on animals.

As for testing, it's a double edged sword.

[#10]

I personally don't understand the need for animal testing. It may be a culture thing, but respect for the planet and everything on it shouldn't be a trend. It should be a requirement.

[#11]

I know it doesn't directly affect me, but I'm glad they decided not to sell in China.  Many people (including myself) are very careful about choosing brands that don't test on animals, so it's good that they wanted to protect that policy.  Maybe later on they can reach a compromise, or just sell in a different country.

[#12]

Im with you sephoramusthave, I'm not sure I even care. This won't affect world peace or anything, I can't imagine the people of China will suffer bc they won't get UD products. They probably already have makeup that women in China or Asia love. I haven't heard much about this...did UD hold some sort of media announcement or debate over it? How did you did out?

[#13]

makeupobsessed----I found out through temptalia. Everyone has already said it but to make a long story short, UD wanted to sell in China. Selling in China means animal testing. UD got bad feedback from fans and backed out.

[#14]

UD made a Statement a few weeks ago that they would start selling in China.  In that statement they also referenced the fact that China may conduct animal testing and while they couldn't definitely confirm that it would happen, they said it might and wanted to let consumers know.  I guess the backlash they received was more intense than they originally predicted and not worth, in their estimation,the potential benefits of the chinese market (revenue) if they would suffer loss of customers for whom the issue is paramount and bad PR.  I tend have the same perspecive as  you, makeupobesessed.  Its not ot of ultimate importance to me, being originally from a developing country, my perspective is different, but to many it was very important and everyone's views should be respected, of course.  :-)