Prior approval for cosmetics ads, a must - CDDA

by Carol Aloysius

The Cosmetics Devices and Drugs Authority (CDDA) has warned media institutions (print and electronic) not to accept any advertisements on cosmetics without checking if they had received its prior approval.

The CDDA has also cautioned cosmetic suppliers to refrain from inserting advertisements with false claims to mislead the public. "There are regulations under the Cosmetics Devices and Drugs Act for the purpose. Misleading the public with false claims about a product violates such regulations", Director CDDA Dr Hemantha Beneragama told the Sunday Observer.

He said that 60 offenders had been already prosecuted. "We are cheeking on others too as this malpractice continues islandwide. If anyone is found guilty, he will face the consequences," he said.

He said that due to the absence of a specific clause for cosmetic manufacturers to seek prior approval to insert advertisements for their products, many suppliers and dealers had run advertisements with false claims about their products without fear of being prosecuted. "Hence we incorporated a new clause, 'Prior Approval" into the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Act eight months ago. As a result of this and the many prosecutions there are less advertisements. The media too is more cautious after we alerted them. However, we will continue to be vigilant", he said.

The most common products being sold to unsuspecting customers under false claims include cleansing and moisturising lotions and more whitening creams to make the user 'fairer and attractive.

"The lotions contain harmful chemicals that can cause allergies, skin rashes that will take a long time to heal and skin cancer too, he said. "All such lotions and creams must be purchased only from registered dealers, including pharmacies and medical advice should be sought before using them.