Overview
- The law was promulgated and published in the Official Gazette on Friday, July 24, 2026, and now permits women over 18 to purchase and possess plant‑extract pepper spray for temporary self‑defense.
- To buy the spray a woman must present official ID, prove a fixed address and have no conviction for a violent felony, and each sale must be recorded by authorized retailers to allow product traceability.
- The statute bans lethal agents and substances that cause permanent toxicity and gives the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) the power to define concentration, container size and other technical safety limits.
- President Lula vetoed provisions that would have allowed 16‑ to 18‑year‑olds to buy the spray and removed some administrative sanctions and reporting duties from the final law.
- Legal experts warn that the law does not set clear rules on proportional use or when use counts as legitimate defense, which could leave users exposed to criminal investigation until Anvisa rules or courts clarify standards.