With the recent enactment of Law 15.183/2025, Brazil takes a decisive step forward in defending animal rights and positions itself among the most advanced countries in the world in ethical regulations for the cosmetics industry. The new legislation prohibits, nationwide, the use of live animals in laboratory tests for the development of cosmetics, personal care products, and perfumes.

In this context, awareness campaigns played a crucial role and a striking example is the stop-motion short film Save ralph, produced by Humane society international. Released in 2021, the film follows a day in the life of Ralph, a rabbit used in cosmetic testing, who recounts with apparent serenity the after-effects he suffered, such as loss of vision and hearing, while continuing to undergo painful procedures.

Starring an international cast (Taika Waititi as the voice of Ralph, Ricky Gervais, Zac Efron, Olivia Munn, among others; with Rodrigo Santoro in the Brazilian dubbing), the production exposes in a shocking and accessible way the cruelty behind the industry, helping to raise awareness among millions of people and drive legislative debates around the world.

https://hsi.global/SaveRalph

🎥 #SaveRalph - A short film that exposes the cruelty of animal testing

An achievement of civil and scientific society

The approval of the new law is the result of more than a decade of social, scientific, and legal mobilization. Animal protection movements, researchers, and conscious consumers pushed for legislation that would align the country with international animal welfare principles.

Today, Brazil joins nations such as the European Union, India, Israel, and Norway in becoming a global leader in combating animal cruelty in the beauty industry.

What changes in practice for the consumer?

✅ Products with a history of animal testing after the law is enacted can no longer be sold in Brazil;

✅ National and international companies will need to prove the use of alternative methods;

✅ Consumers will be able to demand more transparency, looking for reliable seals such as Leaping bunny, Choose Cruelty-Free and PETA;

Consumer ethical pressure will be reinforced by the law, making the choice of cruelty-free cosmetics a legal requirement, not just a moral one.

 What does the law prohibit?

Law 15.183/2025 has two central axes:

✅ Testing on live vertebrate animals for the development of cosmetic, perfume and personal hygiene products is prohibited, both in formulation and in the evaluation of efficacy or safety.

✅ The sale of products tested on animals that have been carried out outside the country is also prohibited.

These determinations put an end to a gray area that allowed products tested outside of Brazil, especially in countries where legislation still requires testing, to be sold freely in the national market.

What about companies that no longer tested?

Many Brazilian cosmetics and personal care brands had already been adopting alternative and cruelty-free methods on their own initiative. For these companies, the law doesn't represent a practical change, but rather the officialization of an ethical standard.

The difference lies in the legal requirement... now, even new laboratories, startups, third-party manufacturers, or foreign subsidiaries operating in the country are legally prohibited from resorting to animal experimentation.

Impact on imported products

Perhaps the most disruptive aspect of the new legislation is the ban on the import and sale of products tested on animals after the law is enacted, even if the tests took place outside of Brazil.

This means that multinationals with global operations and a history of animal testing, especially in markets where these procedures are still required by law, will have to reformulate their global processes or suspend the export of certain lines to Brazil.

Science and ethics side by side: substitute methods

The new rule requires companies to use only methods recognized by the National Council for the Control of Animal Experimentation (CONCEA), which include:

✅ In vitro tests (in cultured human cells);

✅ 3D bioprinting, which reproduces human tissues in the laboratory;

✅ Computational models, which simulate biological reactions;

✅ Organoids, cultivated biological structures with behavior similar to human organs;

✅ “Organ-on-a-chip” systems, which mimic physiological functions in controlled microenvironments.

These technologies not only eliminate animal suffering, but also offer greater precision and agility in product development.

When does the law come into effect?

The law is already in effect. However, to allow for the adaptation of industrial processes, a transition period of up to two years has been established, during which companies must:

✅ Discontinue partnerships with suppliers who still carry out testing;

✅ Reformulate ingredients and products that rely on data from animal testing;

✅ Establish traceability over the origin of your toxicological and clinical data.

Regulatory rigor and oversight

Oversight will be the responsibility of federal agencies such as Anvisa, Ibama and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, which must publish biennial reports on compliance with the law.

Companies that violate the rule may face heavy fines, have their products seized, and even face criminal liability, as already provided for in current environmental and animal protection legislation.

Which famous brands test on animals?

Several multinationals operate in countries where testing is still required by law (such as mainland China) or maintain policies that allow regulatory exceptions:

More than a law, a cultural landmark

The approval of Law 15.183/2025 is not just a legal victory; it's a declaration of who we want to be as a society. Brazil makes it clear that development and innovation don't have to go hand in hand with cruelty, and that cutting-edge science can (and should) respect life in all its forms.

By eliminating loopholes that allowed the circulation of products tested on animals and by demanding more modern and ethical methods, the country sends a message to the world: here, beauty and well-being go hand in hand, and respect for animals is as important as aesthetics and health.

The challenge now is to ensure that oversight is effective and that consumers and companies come together to keep this achievement alive, transforming the choice for cruelty-free cosmetics from an act of individual conscience to a collective commitment.