# Law No. 7365 of September 13, 1985

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649961](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649961)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-7365-of-september-13-1985

## Summary

Law No. 7365 of September 13, 1985 (Lei nº 7365/1985) is a Brazilian federal statute that regulates the manufacture of non-biodegradable detergents. Promulgated by President José Sarney on behalf of the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, this law was published in Brasília and constitutes a legal norm within Brazilian environmental and industrial regulation. The law addresses the prohibition and control of non-biodegradable detergent products in Brazil.

## Key Facts

- **Official Title:** Lei nº 7365, de 13 de setembro de 1985
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 7365/1985
- **Country:** Brazil
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (applies to jurisdiction)
- **Publication Date:** September 13, 1985
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **President:** José Sarney (point in time: 1985-09-13, determination method: promulgation)
- **Classification:** Statute (instance_of)
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-09-13;7365
- **Main Subjects:** Import (importação), legal norm (normas), absence (ausencia)
- **Law Digest:** "DISPÕE SOBRE A FABRICAÇÃO DE DETERGENTES NÃO-BIODEGRADAVEIS" (Concerns the manufacture of non-biodegradable detergents)
- **Official Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l7365.htm
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law

## FAQs

**What does Law No. 7365 of September 13, 1985 regulate?**

Law No. 7365 of September 13, 1985 regulates the manufacture of non-biodegradable detergents in Brazil. The law's digest explicitly states it "DISPÕE SOBRE A FABRICAÇÃO DE DETERGENTES NÃO-BIODEGRADAVEIS" (Concerns the manufacture of non-biodegradable detergents), making it a piece of environmental and industrial legislation aimed at controlling detergent products that do not break down naturally in the environment.

**Who promulgated Law No. 7365/1985?**

Law No. 7365 was promulgated by President José Sarney on September 13, 1985, through the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The law was signed as part of the federal executive's authority to create legal norms governing industrial production and environmental protection.

**What type of legal instrument is Law No. 7365/1985?**

Law No. 7365 is classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law, including acts, executive orders, and by-laws. It is an instance of a statute within the Brazilian legal system and functions as a legal norm that establishes rules regarding detergent manufacturing and potentially imports of such products.

**Where can Law No. 7365/1985 be accessed?**

The official text of Law No. 7365 is available through the Brazilian federal government website at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l7365.htm. The law is also catalogued in LexML, the Brazilian legal metadata system, with the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-09-13;7365.

**What are the main subjects covered by this law?**

The law addresses three primary subjects according to legal metadata: importação (import), normas (legal norms), and ausencia (absence/prohibition). These subjects indicate the law deals with both the domestic manufacture and import of non-biodegradable detergent products, establishing what is prohibited or regulated in this category.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 7365 of September 13, 1985 matters as a piece of Brazilian environmental legislation that addresses the ecological impact of cleaning products. Non-biodegradable detergents contain surfactants and chemicals that persist in water systems, causing environmental pollution and harm to aquatic ecosystems. By regulating or prohibiting the manufacture of such products, Brazil demonstrated early environmental policy leadership in Latin America during the 1980s—a period when environmental consciousness was growing globally but legislative action remained limited in many developing nations.

This law represents a specific application of Brazil's regulatory authority over industrial production and commercial imports. The inclusion of "import" as a main subject indicates the law also addressed international trade in non-biodegradable cleaning products, preventing foreign manufacturers from circumventing domestic restrictions by exporting to Brazil. The law's existence reflects Brazil's adoption of environmental protection as a governmental priority, building upon later constitutional provisions that would establish environmental rights in the 1988 Constitution.

For legal researchers and policy analysts, Law No. 7365/1985 serves as evidence of Brazil's evolving environmental regulatory framework during the military-to-democratic transition period. The law demonstrates how statutory instruments were used to address specific environmental concerns before the comprehensive environmental framework established by the 1988 Constitution. Understanding this law helps contextualize Brazil's current position as a global leader in environmental regulation within the developing world.

## Notable For

- **Environmental Regulation:** One of Brazil's early federal laws addressing chemical pollution from consumer products, specifically targeting non-biodegradable detergents that contribute to water pollution.
- **Industrial Policy Impact:** Established regulatory parameters for the Brazilian cleaning products industry, affecting domestic manufacturers and import practices.
- **Historical Significance:** Enacted during Brazil's transition period under President José Sarney, representing pre-constitutional environmental legislation that contributed to Brazil's later comprehensive environmental framework.
- **Legal Metadata Integration:** Catalogued in multiple Brazilian legal information systems including LexML, demonstrating its continued relevance in legal research and compliance.

## Body

### Legislative Origin and Authority

Law No. 7365 was enacted on September 13, 1985, during the presidency of José Sarney, who served as President of Brazil from 1985 to 1990. This period marked Brazil's transition from military rule to democratic governance, and the law represents one of the legislative achievements of this transitional administration. The law was promulgated through the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the executive branch's highest authority for federal legislation.

The official publication occurred in Brasília, which had been Brazil's capital since 1960, replacing Rio de Janeiro. The law was officially cited as "Lei nº 7365/1985" in legal references, following Brazilian legislative citation conventions that combine the law number, year, and type of legislative instrument.

### Legal Classification and Structure

As a federal statute, Law No. 7365 occupies a specific position within Brazil's legislative hierarchy. The law is classified as an "instance_of" statute—a formal written document that creates law, as distinguished from other legal instruments such as decrees, resolutions, or regulatory instructions. This classification aligns with the broader legal taxonomy that recognizes statutes as primary legislation requiring formal enactment processes.

The law addresses legal norms (normas), which are the binding rules established by legislative authority. Additionally, the law's focus on "absence" (ausencia) suggests it establishes prohibitions or the absence of certain permitted activities—specifically, the manufacture of non-biodegradable detergents. The inclusion of "import" (importação) as a main subject indicates the law's scope extends beyond domestic production to include imported products, preventing regulatory arbitrage by foreign manufacturers.

### Subject Matter: Non-Biodegradable Detergents

The law's core purpose, as stated in its digest, is to regulate "a fabricação de detergentes não-biodegradáveis" (the manufacture of non-biodegradable detergents). Non-biodegradable detergents contain synthetic surfactants that do not break down naturally in the environment, leading to persistent water pollution. These chemicals can harm aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and accumulate in water treatment systems.

The regulation of such products reflects growing environmental awareness in Brazil during the 1980s. Similar legislation emerged in developed nations during this period as scientific understanding of detergent environmental impacts improved. Brazil's adoption of such regulations demonstrated the country's willingness to implement environmental standards comparable to those in industrialized nations, despite being a developing country with different economic priorities.

### Official Sources and Legal Documentation

The official text of Law No. 7365 is preserved in Brazil's federal legislative archives and accessible through the official government portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l7365.htm. This website hosts the full text of Brazilian federal laws and serves as the authoritative source for legal research and compliance purposes.

The law is catalogued in LexML, Brazil's legal metadata system, with the identifier "urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-09-13;7365." This identifier allows legal researchers, automated systems, and government databases to reference the law precisely. LexML is a comprehensive system for organizing Brazilian legal information, enabling cross-referencing between laws, decrees, and regulatory instruments.

### Relationship to Broader Legal Framework

Law No. 7365 exists within Brazil's broader environmental and consumer protection legal framework. While enacted in 1985, the law predates the current Brazilian Constitution of 1988, which established comprehensive environmental rights and protections. Subsequent environmental legislation has built upon earlier laws like No. 7365, creating a more robust regulatory structure for chemical products and environmental protection.

The law's focus on industrial production connects it to Brazil's regulatory system for commercial activities, which includes requirements for product safety, environmental impact assessment, and consumer protection. The inclusion of import regulation demonstrates Brazil's use of trade policy tools to achieve environmental objectives, ensuring that foreign products meet domestic environmental standards.

### Historical Context

The enactment of Law No. 7365 in 1985 occurred during a significant period in Brazilian history. The country was transitioning from military rule (1964-1985) to democratic governance. José Sarney, who assumed the presidency in 1985, inherited a complex political and economic situation, including mounting pressure for democratic reforms and environmental protections.

During this period, Brazil was experiencing rapid industrial growth, which brought increased environmental concerns. The cleaning products industry had expanded significantly, and the environmental impact of synthetic detergents had become a subject of scientific and public concern. Law No. 7365 represented one response to these concerns, using regulatory authority to limit the most harmful products while allowing the industry to continue operating under new constraints.

### Legal Citation and Usage

In legal practice, Law No. 7365/1985 is cited using standard Brazilian citation formats. The primary citation form is "Lei nº 7365/1985" or "Lei nº 7365, de 13 de setembro de 1985." Legal professionals, courts, and government agencies use these citation forms when referencing the law in legal documents, regulatory filings, and judicial proceedings.

The law remains part of Brazil's active legal framework, though subsequent legislation may have amended, supplemented, or superseded certain provisions. Legal researchers examining environmental regulation, industrial policy, or consumer protection in Brazil frequently reference Law No. 7365 as part of the historical development of these regulatory areas.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-09-13;7365)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=7365&ano=1985&data=13/09/1985&ato=023gXT65keBpWT57e)
3. LexML Brasil