President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sanctioned the law prohibiting the use of living animals in laboratory tests for the development of personal hygiene products, cosmetics and perfumes. The sanction ceremony took place at the Planalto Palace and was attended by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva.
Lula classified the new legislation as a measure that “defends animal sovereignty.” According to the president, “creatures that have as their natural habitat planet Earth will no longer be guinea pigs of experiences in this country.”
The project had been approved by the National Congress in early July. From the publication of the standard, the sanitary authorities will have two years to implement measures that recognize alternative methods, promote their dissemination in the country and reinforce the supervision of the use of these practices.
The new law allows products or ingredients developed before their entry into force to continue being marketed. However, new products cannot be tested on animals.
For Minister Marina Silva, the sanction of the standard represents a milestone in Brazil’s commitment to a fairer relationship between humans, animals and the environment.
“When we learn to protect other forms of life and existence, we are demonstrating an elevation in terms of humanity,” he said.
