The Colombian Ministry of Health has issued Resolution 0814 of 2026, effectively banning animal testing in the cosmetics industry. This law regulates the experimentation, importation, manufacturing, and commercialization of cosmetic products or ingredients tested on animals.
Key Provisions of the Ban on Animal-Tested Cosmetics
The new regulations outline essential technical requirements for market participants. A significant aspect of the regulation is the conformity declaration, which must be submitted to the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (Invima). This declaration must hold the same validity as the Mandatory Health Notification (NSO).
- All entities involved in the cosmetics supply chain must comply, including producers and importers.
- Neither the final product nor its ingredients can have undergone animal testing.
Compliance and Verification Mechanisms
Invima will oversee compliance with these declarations across all sanitary control phases and administrative actions. Failure to present this document may lead to information requests or outright rejection of applications.
Exceptions to the Ban
The new legislation does allow for specific instances where animal testing data may be used. Such exceptions apply only when:
- An ingredient requires safety testing due to health or environmental risks.
- No validated alternatives exist for testing.
- The safety data was generated for purposes unrelated to cosmetics.
The implementation of this regulation marks a significant step forward for animal welfare in Colombia’s cosmetics sector. It aims to foster a more ethical approach to cosmetics production and ultimately protect both consumer health and the environment.
