Learn more about cruelty-free legislation in Colombia
Colombia was the first country in South America to pass legislation banning animal testing for cosmetic purposes, marking a significant milestone in the region.
This progress came to fruition on August 10, 2020, with the enactment of Law 2047, which banned animal testing for cosmetics. With this measure, the country joined an international trend that already included various regions, such as the European Union, Norway, India, Taiwan, South Korea, and Guatemala, among others.
The passage of this law was the result of several years of work led by Representative Juan Carlos Losada, together with the organization Animal Defenders International, which championed the initiative until its passage in Congress.
Image courtesy of ADI Wildlife Sanctuary
Representative Juan Carlos Losada, the author of the bill, said in an interview with El Espectador: “This development represents an important step for Colombian society. Following the Animal Cruelty Act, the ban on animal testing for cosmetics helps to strengthen a legal framework aimed at protecting animals. The use of animals in laboratories has historically been an issue that has received little attention, despite its global impact.”
For his part, Senator Richard Aguilar, another proponent of the bill, told the same media outlet: “This decision comes at a time when it is necessary to move toward more ethical forms of research, leaving behind practices that cause animal suffering and aligning with international standards in scientific innovation.”
Although the law was enacted in August 2020, its effective date was set for 2024, providing a transition period for companies to adapt their processes and for the government to promote the development of alternative methods. According to El Espectador, this timeline was intended to facilitate the implementation of new forms of testing that do not involve the use of animals.
Is "cruelty-free" certification still necessary in this context?
Image by Te Protejo
As in other countries that have enacted legislation on this matter—such as those in the European Union—these regulations provide for certain exceptions. In Colombia, the use of animals in cosmetic testing is permitted in specific situations, such as when an ingredient must be evaluated for health or environmental risks and there are no validated alternatives, or when the data comes from studies conducted for purposes other than cosmetics.
In this context, cruelty-free certifications continue to play an important role, as they help identify products that have not been tested on animals at any stage of their development, beyond the scope of legal exceptions. These certifications are granted by internationally recognized organizations, such as Te ProtejoCruelty Free International and the Leaping Bunny Program, among others.
To find out which brands have these certifications, check out the list of certified cruelty-free brands.
