Government is planning to impose stiffer laws and harsher sanctions for manufacturers and importers of low quality cosmetic products.
The proposed Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill 2026 is for ensuring better consumer protection and to put a lid on the cosmetics industry in Pakistan. It has been approved by a committee in the Senate.
The proposed legislation will be punishable by up to seven years imprisonment and a Rs 50 lakh fine for anyone who is caught in the act of manufacturing or importing unsafe or sub-standard cosmetics.
The proposed penalties are intended to deter companies from sacrificing product quality to earn a profit, while protecting consumers’ health and safety.
The legislation is in response to the increasing worries regarding the hazardous chemicals in beauty and personal care products sold in the market.
Authorities have emphasized the presence of mercury in some cosmetics, such as beauty creams, which are associated with serious health issues.
The risk to consumers from the use of mercury and other harmful chemicals in products used for beauty is high, especially if skin-lightening creams and other cosmetic preparations are frequently applied without knowledge of the ingredients.
Lack of quality control and monitoring have also been raised as concerns around the safety of products to consumers.
The proposed legislation aims to implement higher quality standards, enhance oversight and create a specific body to oversee the cosmetics industry.
The regulatory system will be strengthened to increase product testing, compliance with safety standards, and accountability of manufacturers and importers to the standards.
The bill, if passed, would be a huge step towards filling the regulatory void in cosmetics and would provide consumers with greater protection against potentially harmful cosmetics.
It also wants to increase the transparency and accountability in an industry that has been a growing public issue regarding product safety.
