Bill to ban animal testing in the production of cosmetic products approved in Chile

On 20th December the Chilean Senate approved, in the second constitutional procedure, the bill that prohibits animal testing in the production of cosmetic products and the import and marketing of these products if they have been previously tested on animals.

The main innovations of this bill are the prohibition of safety and efficacy tests on animals for cosmetic, hygiene and personal care products and their ingredients, and the obligation for manufacturers to use alternative methods recognised by the Institute of Public Health or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, an obligation that will also apply to importers and marketers of these products.

In exceptional cases, the Institute of Public Health may, by reasoned decision and for the reasons set out in the Act, require animal testing.

The terms "cruelty-free" or "not tested on animals" may be used according to specifications to be established by the Cosmetic Products Control Regulations.

The bill, which is now ready to be promulgated by the President of the Republic and subsequently published in the Official Gazette, introduces amendments to the Sanitary Code and makes the sanction regime contained in the Sanitary Code, Law 20.380 on the Protection of Animals and the Penal Code applicable to its infringements.
It will enter into force 12 months after its publication in the Official Journal.

This Legal Alert has been prepared by the Life Sciences Team of Bofill Mir Abogados for general information purposes and should not be considered as legal advice.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this information, please contact the Life Sciences team:

Andrea Abascal
aabascal@bofillmir.cl

Andrés Sepúlveda
asepulveda@bofillmir.cl

bofillmir.cl