Govt launches crackdown against skin whitening creams

LAHORE: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has initiated a country-wide crackdown on firms manufacturing and marketing skin whitening creams with hazardous contents of mercury, in an attempt to safeguard consumers and promote fair play in the cosmetics industry.

CCP’s Office of Fair Trade and Market Intelligence Unit revealed that several over-the-counter whitening creams. Both in pharmacies and over the Internet, contain mercury, a poison that causes kidney impairment, but with their mercury content hidden from ingredient lists.

Numerous of these products, according to the CCP, were labeled as “safe” and “effective. Despite an international prohibition against the use of mercury in cosmetics, Pakistani markets continue to be deluged with creams making the claims of “fairness,” “glow,” and “lightening” under false pretexts.

The CCP has invoked Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010, which forbids false or misleading marketing and involves fines up to Rs. 75 million or 10% of a company’s turnover for a year.

The Commission has taken enforcement action against all firms that were selling or advertising such dangerous products, threatening to do so against violators for putting public health at risk and creating unfair competition by providing violators with a competitive advantage.

Consumers are also urged to discontinue use of any suspected mercury whitening creams and report false advertising or dangerous products through the CCP’s Online Complaint Portal.

The CCP action is a major step towards purifying Pakistan’s cosmetics industry and protecting consumer health.