UK study reveals 73% of ethnic cosmetic products fail to comply with law

Sandwell Trading Standards in the UK has revealed that nearly three-quarters of ethnic cosmetic products are failed to comply with the law.

The government agency said it has found that 73% of the products tested by them failed to meet the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations.

The agency said it has investigated 15 cosmetic samples and analysed that 11 were found to breach the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations.

According to the agency, in one case an exfoliating soap marketed as ‘enriched with apricot extracts and vitamins’ was tested and found that there were no vitamins found in the product.

The agency said in the investigation it was found that a bottle of nail varnish contained toluene, however, the required safety warning was missing.

Toluene is a chemical which may cause skin irritation, dizziness, headaches or nausea if inhaled and children are considered to be more vulnerable to the effects than adults, while a product containing this chemical must be marked with the safety warning ‘To be used by adults only’.

The agency said the proper labelling of products with safety warnings are important to assure that the products are used correctly, or avoided by people with certain discrimination.

If a consumer suffers with an allergic reaction, the labelling could help in identifying the manufacturer or importer and helps to prevent further problems.

Cabinet member for neighbourhood services councillor Ian Jones said research has found that the average consumption of cosmetics by a single user is around ten products a day.

"Consumers are entitled to assume that every cosmetic product is safe, contain what they say they do and meet any specific claims they make. I am pleased to say that trading standards are ensuring that cosmetic products sold in Sandwell are safe,” Jones added.