Brazil Implements Historic Ban on Animal Testing for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

A groundbreaking law passed by the Brazilian government on July 30, 2025, now prohibits the use of animals in testing products such as cosmetics, personal care items, and perfumes, as well as their ingredients. The new legislation, signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marks a significant step forward in the nation's animal welfare efforts.

The law amends two critical pieces of legislation—Law No. 11,794 (2008) and Law No. 6,360 (1976)—to explicitly ban the testing of products and ingredients on vertebrate animals, including those used for safety, efficacy, or danger assessments. The amendment also enforces stricter labeling regulations on products that may have been tested on animals before the law's enforcement.

Key Provisions

Under the revised Law No. 11,794, the following points stand out:

1. Prohibition on Animal Testing: Sections 11 and 12 of the amended law clearly state that testing on vertebrate animals is prohibited for both finished products and ingredients used in personal care, cosmetics, and perfumes. This includes any testing aimed at evaluating the safety, efficacy, or potential harm of the substances.

2. Restrictions on Animal-Test Data: Data from animal testing carried out after the law’s enforcement will no longer be admissible for the approval or commercialization of personal care products. This extends to any animal test data used to support the safety claims of the ingredients.

3. Labeling Prohibition: Manufacturers whose products' safety has been certified through post-enforcement animal testing will not be allowed to label or advertise their products as "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals." This aims to uphold transparency and prevent misleading claims.

4. Alternative Testing Methods: The law prioritizes the use of internationally recognized and validated alternative testing methods. It mandates that the Brazilian authorities expedite the recognition and adoption of these methods, ensuring they become widespread throughout the nation.

5. Exemptions in Exceptional Circumstances: There is a provision for exemption in rare instances where a cosmetic ingredient poses a significant health risk, and no viable alternative testing method exists. These exceptions will be handled by the National Commission for the Control of Animal Experimentation.

Implementation and Enforcement

The law mandates that the health authorities have a maximum of two years to implement and regulate these new rules. Specifically, the authorities are required to:

• Promote Alternative Testing: Create a strategic plan for the adoption of alternative testing methods across Brazil.

• Monitor Compliance: Establish measures to ensure companies do not use post-enforcement animal testing data for regulatory purposes.

• Ensure Accurate Labeling: Enforce regulations around the labeling of cruelty-free claims and ensure they align with the new legislation.

The amendment also adds a specific clause to Law No. 6,360 (1976), making compliance with the animal testing ban a requirement for product registration under Brazil’s health authority.

A Step Toward Global Change

Brazil’s landmark move positions the country as a global leader in ethical treatment of animals, aligning with international trends where more nations are adopting similar bans on animal testing for cosmetics. While some have already implemented these restrictions, Brazil is one of the largest emerging markets to take such decisive action.

This shift is expected to inspire many companies to embrace innovative, cruelty-free methods in their production processes, which could lead to broader changes across the global beauty and cosmetics industry. It is also seen as a major victory for animal rights groups, who have long advocated for such bans in the fight for humane testing practices.

The law goes into effect immediately following its publication, marking a historic day for Brazil and animal welfare advocates alike. For further details you can check the Law (in Portughese) here.