SLCNTA President appeals for one-year extension

The President of The Sri Lanka Cosmetics and Neutraceuticals Traders Association Ahamed Rheyas is forwarding an appeal on behalf of the Association to the Health Minister seeking an extension of the deadline to implement the three language labelling requirement with effect from 1 January 2013 by one year.

Although the Association appreciates the need for such labelling, it has pointed out some of the difficulties encountered in implementing the order within the stipulated time limit.

The international suppliers are facing difficulties in printing small number of cartons and boxes in three languages. The Sinhala and Tamil languages fonts have to be encrypted on to the packaging which for the country’s small volume requirements is not a viable proposition. However, this can be insisted upon given an extended period of one more year before it is made mandatory.

The Association has suggested the following for consideration:

All products manufactured after 1 January 2014 to have labels in three languages.

Smaller packs of 10g and below to have the three language texts only in the pack inserts.

All liquid preparations in small ampoules and tubes (e.g. serum) with 10ml or below also to have three languages text only in the pack insert.

The currently imported stocks which are already in the market will definitely have a little more than one year’s shelf life. This extension by one year will give the traders time to liquidate these stocks. Therefore, the authorities will be able to insist on implementation beyond the cut-off limit of 1 January 2014.

The President of SLCNTA Ahamed Rheyas will be seeking an appointment with the Director of the Cosmetics Devices and Drugs Authority and the Health Minister to apprise them of the situation.