Cosmetics importers cry foul over Health Ministry’s decision to take registrations out of CDDRA

Cosmetics and Nutraceuticals Association Chairman Ahamed Rheyas along with the members of the association express their discontent of the newly proposed deregulation of the cosmetics imports. 

“If this policy is implemented, then cosmetics will be brought freely through baggage. This would result in an operation of a parallel unethical baggage product business. These products will not be properly monitored; hence there is no accountability for the quality or safety of these products. Many multinational agencies will lost faith and no longer make investments in the Sri Lankan cosmetics market.

“We urge that the Ministry of Health or another relevant regulated body handles the registration of cosmetics if the CDDA or the NMRA do not handle this. We believe that the Ministry of Health should handle the technical and import regulation of the cosmetics imports.”

Currently all imports of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are registered with the CDDRA but after the formation of the NMRA; this has changed. The NMRA does not register cosmetics under their purview. Therefore, the cosmetics importers humbly appeal to the Ministry of Health to keep the registration of cosmetics under the Ministry of Health until a permanent solution is provided.

Rheyasstated that there were several products still pending at the Ministry of Health. In this situation, files have already been submitted and several payments have already been made to obtain certificates of registration and import licenses.