Health Ministry to ban and fine companies selling recycled cosmetics

KUALA LUMPUR: Health Ministry has warned that it will blacklist and issue compounds to companies caught selling recycled cosmetics beginning next year.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry is currently looking to gazette such a move under the Sales of Drugs Act 1952.

"We are considering to gazette a compound against companies caught with such offences like selling banned substances like mercury and other items.

“We will also continue to blacklist specifically on certain products and brands so that it would not be sold online or offline and to avoid repeated offences," he told reporters at the parliament lobby on Wednesday (Oct 30).

The minister was asked to comment on a report revealing the latest trend adopted by local cosmetic companies of selling recycled cosmetic products and using illegal or blacklisted substances, making them cheaper than regular cosmetic products.

The ministry, he added, was also looking at taking action against cosmetic product advertisements that do not follow the current standard operating procedures, those selling products that don't follow its standard label, as well as false advertising.

"Finally, we are considering implementing Good Manufacturing Practice in the near future, ” he said.

Asked to reveal the figure of the compound, Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry was still looking at it.