UPDATE! On July 30, 2025, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Law No. 15.183, banning the use of live vertebrate animals in laboratory testing for the development of personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and perfumes.
This landmark law expands earlier regional bans in São Paulo (2014) and Rio de Janeiro (2017) to encompass the entire nation, making Brazil one of 45 countries and 12 U.S. states to end this archaic practice. The legislation prohibits testing for the safety, efficacy, or toxicity of cosmetic ingredients, though products developed before the law’s enactment may still be sold without claiming “cruelty-free” status.
This is a major step forward for animals and ethical science, but the fight isn’t over. We must continue working until every country eliminates cosmetic animal testing and embraces modern, humane alternatives.
July 10th: Today, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has voted to prohibit the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. This new law aims to eliminate longstanding legal loopholes in the country’s cosmetics industry. Previously, only a few states had animal testing bans, alongside a limited federal restriction. This ban, once implemented, will provide a consistent legal standard nationwide.
Cosmetic animal testing is cruel and unnecessary. Innocent animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice, endure painful procedures such as skin and eye irritation tests. In these tests, chemicals are often dripped into their eyes or applied to shaved skin, causing immense suffering, usually without pain medication. Tragically, these sentient beings are often killed after the testing is finished.
More than 40 countries have already banned cosmetic animal testing, including the EU nations, India, and Mexico. Now, Brazil is getting closer to joining them, marking a significant step towards a more humane and ethical approach in the cosmetics industry.
Humane World for Animals has successfully led ten years of negotiations with policymakers and the cosmetics industry, playing a crucial role in securing state-level bans in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Amazonas, Pará, Santa Catarina, Paraná, Pernambuco, Espírito Santo, Acre, Paraíba, and the Federal District.
Together with their partners at Forum Nacional de Proteção e Defesa Animal, ONG Te Protejo, Change.org Brazil, and the Animal-Free Safety Assessment Collaboration, they express optimism that as South America’s largest beauty and personal care market, Brazil will soon join Chile and Colombia as a leader in cruelty-free practices.
We must now urge Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to sign this critical bill into law, aligning Brazil with other cruelty-free cosmetics markets!
