South Africa’s Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is planning to introduce new regulations governing the labelling of cosmetics across the country, according to a report published by Times Live.
The new rules will bring the current law governing the industry up to date, for example, amending the list of banned ingredients to reflect scientific advances, as well as requiring that all products carry an ingredient list and preventing cosmetic manufacturers and distributors from making unsubstantiated product efficacy claims, in accordance with best international practice.
“If you look at our South African public, they can be really vulnerable, if you see the words ‘clinically proven’ or that the doctors recommend this, you will think in your mind that this is then a safe product,” Registrar for Medicines at the Department of Health‚ Joey Gouws told Times Live.
The proposed regulations are currently open to consultation, having been published in the Government Gazette.