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How the Good In Vitro Method Practices Guidance Document Can Help Implement New Toxicological Approaches: A Case Study in China

October 17, 2018

Currently China is striving to adopt and implement non-animal, including in vitro, testing approaches for the safety assessment of cosmetics and ingredients.  Collaborative efforts between industry and the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS, Gaithersburg, USA) have focused on the transfer of several OECD Test Guideline methods to government laboratories in China and have supported the creation of an in vitro toxicology testing laboratory within the Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control (Hangzhou, China).  Recently BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and IIVS have partnered to introduce a cell based in vitro skin sensitization test, LuSens, into China using the principles of GIVIMP as a standard.  This case study exemplifies the practical way in which the GIVIMP guidance can assist interested parties in the development, transfer and establishment of in vitro approaches.

IIVS in China – Frequently Asked Questions

November 21, 2016

What is the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS)?

IIVS is a non-profit laboratory dedicated to promoting the use and acceptance of in vitro (non-animal) methods for product safety testing. In Vitro is Latin and means “in glass” as opposed to in vivo, which means “in the living.” The two terms are used to describe the effects of cells in culture versus...

US Institute Trains Chinese Scientists from Zhejiang FDA in Non-Animal Test Methods

August 31, 2015

GAITHERSBURG, Md.- In an effort to reduce the number of animals used in the registration and testing of cosmetics in China, US non-profit laboratory, the Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS), provided in-depth training for two scientists from the Zhejiang Food and Drug Administration’s Institute for Food and Drug Control (ZJFDA IFDC). The course focused on laboratory techniques using more ...

IIVS in Allure Magazine – President Erin Hill Talks About Non-animal Testing of Cosmetics in China

October 24, 2017

IIVS President, Erin Hill, talked to Allure magazine about efforts to phase out animal testing of cosmetics in China and replace the practice with non-animal methods. The article, which appears in the November issue, examines that while animal testing is nearly non-existent in the U.S. and officially banned in the E.U., China’s regulatory agencies require animal testing of imported cosmetics and domestically manufactured ones, with some exceptions. Hill goes on to talk about the collaboration between IIVS and the Chinese government, citing the recently signed memorandum of understanding with the Chinese government on adopting non-animal test methods. Read the full article.

IIVS Attends Congress on Alternative Methods in Guangzhou China

April 21, 2017

IIVS President, Erin Hill, and scientist, Quanshun Zhang attended the Congress on Alternative Methods in Guangzhou China. Dr. Zhang presented on the newly adopted 3T3 Phototoxicity Assay...

China’s NMPA Approves Two New In Vitro Methods For Regulating Cosmetics

March 22, 2019

We are pleased to share that today China’s National Medical Products Association (NMPA) has approved new methods for the regulations of cosmetics.  Among these are two in vitro methods: DPRA for skin sensitization and the Short Time Exposure (STE) assay for eye irritation. IIVS’ International Outreach Program introduced these methods during its training program with NMPA and we will continue to support their implementation in key laboratories.

International Outreach Program

May 13, 2021

IIVS has worked collaboratively with international governments to help them implement non-animal test methods for the regulation of products and ingredients. Since 2010 a major area of focus has been working with the Chinese government to replace animal testing for the registration of cosmetics. This work is done under a Memorandum of Understanding with China’s Institute for Food and Drug ...

First Non-Animal Test Method Accepted by China FDA

December 1, 2016

IIVS and stakeholders around the world welcomed the announcement last month by the CFDA that data from a non-animal test method can now be used to substantiate the safety of cosmetics made in China. The test, known as the In Vitro 3T3 NRU Phototoxicity Test (

China to Exempt Animal Testing for Imported General Cosmetics on May 1

March 4, 2021

IIVS is pleased to see China providing a pathway for the importation of certain cosmetics without #animaltesting. The pathway does contain certain requirements that the international community must strive to meet - but it is certainly a major step forward. IIVS will continue its outreach with China's National Institute for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC), as well as with provincial FDA's, to continue to implement #nonanimal methods into their regulatory guidelines. Thank you to all our great contributors who fund this important work!