Governor Cláudio Castro sanctions law that allows commercialization upon presentation of a document; measure provides for free distribution to victims with a protective measure and charging costs to the aggressor
The governor of , (PL), sanctioned this Wednesday (26) Law 11,025/2025, which regulates the sale and possession of plant extract sprays, popularly known as pepper spray, for exclusive use by women. The new legislation aims to offer a non-lethal self-defense tool for women in dangerous situations.
From now on, trade in these devices is no longer restricted, but must follow specific security and control rules. Sales will only be carried out in pharmaceutical establishments, with the free circulation of the product in other types of commerce being prohibited.
Rules for acquisition and use
The law establishes strict criteria for purchasing. The product can only be sold to women over 18 years of age, who must present an identification document with a photo at the time of purchase. It will not be necessary to present a medical prescription, but there will be a purchase limit of two units per person each month.
Although sales are only permitted to adults, the legislation authorizes teenagers aged 16 and over to carry and use the spray, as long as they have formal authorization from their legal guardians.
Product technical specifications
To differentiate the civilian product from the equipment used by security forces, the law defines technical limits. Sprays sold in pharmacies must have:
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Maximum concentration of 20% of plant extracts;
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Containers with a capacity of up to 70 grams;
Devices with larger volumes (above 50 ml) or with more potent chemical agents continue to be exclusively used by the police and the Armed Forces.
Support for victims of violence and compensation
One of the highlights of the new standard is the free supply of the spray by the State Government to women who are under protective measures due to domestic violence.
In these cases, the law determines a financial sanction for the perpetrator of violence: the costs relating to the acquisition of the spray provided to the victim must be reimbursed from public coffers by the aggressor.
Context and authorship
The measure, originating from a bill authored by deputies Sarah Poncio (Solidarity), Rodrigo Amorim (Union) and other parliamentarians, is justified as a way of creating an immediate protection barrier for women who are alone and vulnerable, guaranteeing precious seconds before the arrival of police assistance.
Before the regulation, similar products were found on e-commerce platforms without gender or age control. With the sanction, Rio de Janeiro seeks to formalize and control access to these personal defense devices.
