The Colombian government is taking out campaigns to raise awareness of its animal-testing ban. According to Finance Colombia, the primary goal is to make both the public and private sectors more aware of the legal requirements regarding animal testing in the cosmetics industry.

Law 2047 of 2020 prohibits the testing, importation, exportation, manufacturing, and commercialization of cosmetic products or ingredients that have been tested on animals. The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT) and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MinTIC), with support from private sector companies.

The ministries are organizing working groups aimed at identifying effective methods to disseminate information about the law, which went into effect in 2020. These efforts will include collaboration with private enterprises to ensure broader understanding and compliance with the legislation.

The law outlines two exceptions where animal testing may still be permitted. These include cases where an ingredient must undergo safety testing due to health or environmental risks and no alternative methods are available, and when animal testing has been conducted for purposes unrelated to cosmetic use.

The government’s efforts are aimed at fostering innovation in the cosmetics industry, encouraging businesses to move away from conventional testing methods, while offering support to those that comply with the new regulations.