The Director General of TANZANIA Bureau of Standards (TBS), Dr Yusuf Ngenya has ordered traders to refrain from importing, manufacturing, distributing and selling harmful cosmetics to the public.
Dr. Ngenya said that according to a recent study from around the world, the ingredients used in some cosmetic products are mainly harmful to human beings.
The call was made in Dar Salaam on Wednesday by TBS during the conference which brought together the country’s cosmetics importers, distributors, retailers and manufacturers. Dr Ngenya said: “TBS has a responsibility to protect society across the country, so after receiving information related to the study, we must protect our citizens from using cosmetics containing these ingredients.” He also explained that there is a cosmetics standard that prescribes certain ingredients that can be used in certain areas and also prohibits certain ingredients in certain areas.
Elaborating, Dr Ngenya said that the TBS always called on those involved in importing, marketing, distribution and production to stay with traders with the aim of educating them, negotiating and telling them that the use cosmetics containing these ingredients should not be allowed because studies show that their long-term use carries health risks.
He added, “With this conference today, TBS took this opportunity to meet with traders and told them to get rid of cosmetics containing the ingredients.” The chief executive also urged stakeholders to ensure that cosmetics containing these ingredients are removed from the market as soon as they expire.
Furthermore, Dr. Ngenya said that the organization considers it necessary to meet with them in order to build mutual understanding and avoid potential damage in the country, due to the use of products containing such ingredients.
He said that in order to fulfill the organization’s responsibilities for citizen protection as well as other national strategies, the TBS will continue to organize similar meetings for manufacturers of various products in the country and to create a common awareness on the sales of their products, only when they meet the requirements of the standards.
