Mexico banned animal testing for cosmetic purposes

Mexico became the first country in North America to ban cosmetic testing on animals, and the 41st country worldwide to enact this type of legislation.

In the years leading up to the passage of this regulation, consumers in Mexico began to express growing concern about the conditions under which the products they purchase are manufactured, prioritizing alternatives that do not involve animal suffering. According to a survey conducted by Parametría in 2021, 78% of the population considers it important to ensure that the cosmetics they use have not been tested on animals.

Following the widespread circulation of the #SaveRalph video, which spurred the collection of more than 1.3 million signatures in support of this cause, the debate gained greater public attention. In this context, on September 2, 2021, the initiative was unanimously approved by the Senate, becoming one of the first laws passed after the resumption of legislative activities following the summer recess.

Let's talk more about the ban in Mexico

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The proposed amendment was introduced in 2019 and aimed to amend and add provisions to the General Health Law in order to prohibit animal testing on both finished cosmetic products and their ingredients and combinations. The legislation also prohibits the manufacture, import, and sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals.

What happens if a brand does not comply with the law?

Following the law’s publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation in October 2021, manufacturers have two years to replace animal testing with alternative methods, such as in vitro testing, cell cultures, or microchip-based technologies, among others.

If companies fail to comply with this provision, they must remove from the market any products that have been tested on animals. Otherwise, they face penalties that include prison terms of two to seven years, as well as fines ranging from 200 to 2,000 times the value of the Unit of Measurement and Update (UMA).

Cruelty-free certification remains key

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Cruelty-free certifications play a vital role in guiding consumers, as they help identify companies that do not test on animals—neither on their products nor on their ingredients—at any stage of development or anywhere in the world. Furthermore, they ensure that brands do not use ingredients that have been tested on animals when alternative methods are available.

Since the regulation was approved, the Official Mexican Standard—which corresponds to the technical regulation governing the industry and enables various government agencies to address and eliminate risks to the population and animals, as well as protect the environment—has not yet been issued. This standard is developed by collegiate bodies (National Advisory Committees on Standardization), which are composed of representatives from all sectors with an interest in each topic, with both public and private entities participating in its drafting.
Cosmetic testing on animals not only causes suffering but is also unnecessary. Currently, there is a wide variety of previously evaluated ingredients, along with alternative methods that ensure product safety without resorting to the use of animals. In this context, moving toward informed and responsible consumption becomes a key tool for continuing to drive change in the industry, and the list of certified cruelty-free brands makes it possible to identify verified alternatives available on the market.