By Maricho Reporter
COSMETIC products producers will now face stricter oversight following revelations of use of harmful ingredients, poor product quality, and lack of traceability in products and this has forced the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for products sold in the country.
The move, according to MCAZ, is aimed at protecting public health and well-being of Zimbabwean consumers
and to restore confidence in the market, promote product innovation,
and empower people to make informed choices about the products they use on their skin and bodies.
“The regulations, known as Medicines and Allied Substances Control (Cosmetics) Regulations seek to address growing concerns over the proliferation of sub-standard, falsified, and potentially harmful cosmetic products in Zimbabwe. MCAZ has identified several issues requiring stricter oversight, including the use of harmful ingredients, poor product quality, and lack of traceability,” MCAZ Director – General, Richard Rukwata said in a statement.
“Under the proposed regulatory framework, MCAZ will establish guidelines for defining, registering, labelling, and testing cosmetic products. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors will be required to comply with stringent safety and quality standards, submit detailed product information for evaluation, and adhere to proper labelling and marketing practices,” he added.
Several stakeholder engagements have been lined up to solicit for input to ensure the final framework addresses the needs and concerns of both the industry and consumers effectively.
“The proposed cosmetics regulations are expected to be implemented soon, subject to the necessary legislative and administrative processes. MCAZ encourages all stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, retailers, and consumers, to stay informed and engage with the Authority during this critical process, and members of the public are urged to take precautionary measures in using some of these cosmetics,” said Rukwata.
