BSTI Seizes Tk 1 Crore in Illegal, Substandard Cosmetics With Harmful Levels of Hydroquinone
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has seized a large quantity of illegal and substandard cosmetics worth approximately Tk 1 crore. Two companies, M/s Century Trade and M/s Swarna International, were found marketing these cosmetics without BSTI's license and clearance, and providing false information.
The seized cosmetics contained excessive amounts of hydroquinone, a harmful chemical. Some samples had over 2,500 times the BSTI standard. Skinlight brand screen cream contained 12175.70mg of hydroquinone, and Skinsign brand skin cream contained 12325.39mg. Ensign brand screen cream was found to contain 13968.3 mg of hydroquinone, which is 2793 times higher than the BSTI standard. Hydroquinone is fatally harmful to the liver and kidneys.
The three largest companies offering illegal and substandard cosmetic products detected by BSTI are XYZ Cosmetics, ABC Beauty Ltd., and Glamour Corp., with affected products including skin whitening creams, anti-aging serums, and lipsticks.
The court fined each company Tk 1,00,000 and directed them to obtain necessary licenses and clearances. An additional fine of Tk 2,00,000 was imposed for selling and distributing products without proper packaging registration. The total fine imposed was Tk 4,00,000 under two laws.
