Brazil Bans Animal-Tested Cosmetics in Major Win for Compassion
On July 30, 2025, Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, approved a ban on animal testing for cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and perfumes in the major South American nation. The bill was signed into law during a ceremony attended by Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change; Luciana Santos, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation; and several other members of Brazil’s current administration. After signing the law, President Lula made a strong statement in defense of animal rights, proclaiming, “We managed to pass a law that defends animal sovereignty. God's creatures, who inhabit the Earth, will no longer be test subjects in experiments in this country.” (author’s translation)
Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/Secom-PR
The Brazilian health regulatory agency, which is responsible for approving cosmetics, will have two years from the date the law was signed to put measures in place that include recognizing alternative testing methods, creating a national plan to promote their implementation, and setting up systems to track how test data is used. Although products developed using animal testing before the law was passed will still be allowed to be sold, new products must no longer be tested on animals.
This is a huge win for animals and common sense, as animal testing has been proven time and again to be both unnecessary and unreliable when compared to modern, cruelty-free alternatives.
In an Instagram post, President Lula continued to celebrate the animal rights victory, writing that the important step was 13 years in the making thanks to ongoing dialogue with lawmakers, activists, and industry representatives. The post went on to say, “What this changes, at the end of the day, is that Brazil has chosen the right path and recognized in law, that animals are no lab instruments. Around 500,000 animals are still used globally in cosmetics tests that are cruel and outdated, and more than 40 countries have abolished this practice. Today is our turn!” (author’s translation)
The United States should be ashamed to be falling behind so many other nations when it comes to compassion and ethical, modern science. It’s time for the US to follow Brazil’s lead and finally pass the Humane Cosmetics Act to end animal testing for beauty and personal care products. If you haven’t already please join Species Unite in calling on Congress to pass this important legislation as soon as they are back in session. Sign and share the petition below.