China's NMPA (formerly CFDA) requires mandatory pre-market registration for all cosmetics sold in the country. Historically, imported 'ordinary' cosmetics (non-special-use) required animal testing as part of the registration process, making China the primary barrier for cruelty-free brands entering the world's second-largest beauty market. In 2021, China reformed its Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR), allowing alternative testing methods for some imported ordinary cosmetics. However, post-market animal testing can still be required, and 'special-use' cosmetics (sunscreen, hair dye, whitening) still require animal studies.