House approves bill banning the use of animals in cosmetic testing

The Chamber of Deputies approved a bill on Wednesday, the 9th, that prohibits the use of live vertebrate animals in testing ingredients or personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and perfumes, including to determine their danger, efficacy, or safety. The bill will be sent to President Lula (Workers' Party) for signature.

The proposal changes the law that establishes procedures for the scientific use of animals. From the publication of the changes, data obtained from animal testing cannot be used to authorize the marketing of personal hygiene products, cosmetics, or perfumes or their ingredients.

The exception applies to cases where the test is obtained to comply with non-cosmetic regulations. To qualify for this exception, interested companies must provide documentary evidence of the non-cosmetic purpose of the test.

A manufacturer who is permitted to use new animal testing data may not include phrases such as “not tested on animals,” “cruelty-free,” or other similar expressions on the product label or packaging.

The project allows the sale of these products and the ingredients that comprise them when testing has occurred before the effective date of the change.

(With information from Agência Brasil).