BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance a proposed legislative measure that seeks to regulate the sale, display and distribution of cosmetic products in the city.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that it is declared a policy of the local government to intensify law enforcement action against manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of adulterated and fake products, including the confiscation and destruction of non-Food and Drugs Administration approved products.
The ordinance added that the measure intends to put an end to the illegal manufacture, importation, marketing and promotion, and sale of unregistered cosmetic products; to promote citizen awareness about the health and environmental impacts of consuming toxic chemical containing cosmetics and to discourage consumers from patronizing cheap yet perilous cosmetic products being widely sold around the city.
The ordinance will eventually apply to cosmetics as earlier defined such as but not limited to creams, lipsticks, eye pencils, mascara, lotions or soaps designed to whiten or color the skin.
Under the ordinance, the manufacture, importation, marketing and promotion, distribution and sale of mercury-laden cosmetics in excess of one ppm; the sale, retail or wholesale, of unregistered or non-FDA approved cosmetic products and the open burning, dumping or disposal of illegal, confiscated or recalled cosmetics containing toxic chemicals shall be regulated and prohibited.
The City Health Services office is tasked to be the lead agency in the strict implementation of the measure and it shall be the duty of the implementing officer to coordinate with the City Public Information Office and other concerned government and non-government organizations in the dissemination or conducting the needed education campaign that will enjoin the general public, particularly concerned business establishments to abide by the measure and coordinate with the Permits and Licensing Division and other relevant offices or national agencies for the effective and efficient implementation of the measure.
Section 16, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
Under the FDA Act of 2009, it is illegal to manufacture, import, export, sell, offer to sell, distribute, transfer, use, promote or advertise any health product that is unregistered, misbranded, adulterated and without the proper authorization from the regulating agency.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environmental Program declared that mercury use in cosmetic products can have adverse effects including skin rashes, discoloring and scarring, and can reduce skin resistance to bacterial and mycotic skin disorders.
Worse, a direct and prolonged use and exposure during repeated use of soaps, creams, lipsticks and other cosmetic products containing heavy metal contaminants such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury can cause kidney failure, miscarriage, birth defects and neuro-developmental deficits. By Dexter A. See
