The Path Toward a Ban on Animal Testing for Cosmetics in Chile

On January 27, 2025, Law 21,646 went into effect, prohibiting animal testing of cosmetic products, their ingredients, or combinations thereof in Chile. The law also regulates the introduction, importation, sale, and marketing of cosmetics tested on animals, marking a milestone in animal protection and the promotion of a more ethical and cruelty-free beauty industry.

The legislation was unanimously approved in late 2023 by the Senate and published in the Official Gazette in January 2024. This is a major achievement for animal rights in Chile, making it the third animal protection law enacted in the country in the last 15 years.

The origins of this bill

Image by Te Protejo

Te Protejo, founded in 2012 as a nonprofit organization, began with a mission to promote cruelty-free cosmetics. It soon became clear that raising consumer awareness and working with companies was not enough: it was also necessary to push for laws banning the testing of cosmetics on animals, following the example of successful initiatives in the European Union.

In 2016, the team at Te Protejo began legislative work in Chile to introduce a bill that would ban the testing of cosmetic products on animals. They drafted the bill and held discussions with various members of Congress to identify who might sponsor the initiative. At the same time, they held meetings with representatives from the cosmetics industry and the Institute of Public Health, successfully bringing the entire cosmetics industry ecosystem on board with the initiative and ensuring that everyone would work together toward this goal.

Presentation to the Chamber of Deputies

After years of work, Bill No. 13.966-11—authored by Representative Vlado Mirosevic—was introduced in 2020 and was subsequently merged with Bills Nos. 14.1932-11 and 14.180-11, which also addressed the same issue. Despite enjoying broad bipartisan support, it was not until late 2021 that the bill was debated on the floor of the Chamber of Deputies, where it was approved in general and in particular with 113 votes in favor, 0 against, and 2 abstentions.

Proceedings in the Senate

Image by Depositphotos

After being approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the bill moved to the Senate for its second constitutional reading. For two years, its progress was stalled, despite the efforts of Te Protejo, which held meetings with members of the Health Committee to push for its review. During that period, legislative priorities were focused on the pandemic, reform of the public health system, and the ISAPRES.

Despite these difficulties, the advocacy team at Te Protejo continued to press the issue and meet with the Senate Committee, securing the support of Senator Juan Luis Castro, who placed the bill on the agenda. Finally, on December 20, 2023, the bill was debated and voted on in the Senate chamber, where it was approved by a vote of 26 in favor, 0 against, and 1 abstention, with officials praising its importance and necessity.

Implementation and Support

Image by Te Protejo

After its approval by Congress, the bill was sent to the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric, who issued the promulgation decree published in the Official Gazette on January 26, 2024. From that date on, the countdown began for the entry into force of Law 21,646, setting a one-year deadline for the cosmetics industry to adapt its processes to these new regulations.

Throughout the legislative process, the support of the Chilean Chamber of the Cosmetics Industry—with which Te Protejo worked closely—was crucial. The organization accompanied them in the Health Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, ensuring that their comments and support were heard at every stage of the bill, thereby strengthening the development of this historic ban.

With the enactment of Law 21.646, Chile has become a regional leader in the protection of animals from cosmetic testing. This achievement is the result of the ongoing efforts of Te Protejo, support from the industry, and the commitment of the public, demonstrating that a combination of legislation, awareness-raising, and collaboration can bring about real change. Today, the Chilean cosmetics industry is moving toward a more ethical, sustainable, and cruelty-free model, setting an inspiring precedent for other countries in the region. 

In other countries, such as Peru, these processes are still underway, where citizen participation is helping to advance the ban on animal testing and strengthen more ethical standards in the industry.