Shanghai-based Eco&more has become the first Chinese personal care company to join PETA’s cruelty-free list of companies that refuse to make products that are manufactured using animals to test the products, formulations or ingredients.

It is a historic move for the animal charity which follows a recent change in legislation in China. Until recently companies selling cosmetics in the country were required to pay for cruel tests on animals. However, a change in rules means that companies are now able to produce and sell products that avoid all animal testing.

Eco&more creates earth friendly plant-based cleaners, shampoos, lotions, home and personal care products, and is working with PETA to ensure that no animal will have, or will ever be harmed in the making of its products.

PETA’s Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said, “We welcome Eco&more as the very first Chinese company on PETA’s cruelty-free list, and we’re pleased that compassionate Chinese consumers have more options to choose from. Eco&more is showing the world that there are companies in China that don’t want any part of poisoning animals in cruel tests.”

Despite this welcome shift in perspective in China, the government still requires foreign brands to test on animals in order to sell in the country. This has promoted the likes of NYX Cosmetics, The Body Shop and Yes to Carrots pledging to stay out of the country, while Dermalogica, John Paul Mitchell Systems and Nature’s Gate all pulled out of the country after talking to PETA.