Key Takeaways
- Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026.
- The bill aims to establish a new regulatory authority to control the cosmetics industry.
- Officials warn of significant smuggling of cosmetics worth USD 500 million annually.
The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026, with two amendments, paving the way for a new regulatory framework for the cosmetics industry.
The approval was made during a meeting chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, who highlighted the need for effective checks on the industry, which has been operating largely without them.
The Pakistan General Cosmetics Regulatory Authority (PGCRA), established under the Pakistan General Cosmetics Act, 2023, has been approved for winding up by the federal cabinet in January 2025, according to officials.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi, emphasized the importance of the proposed legislation, stating that it would establish an authority to regulate cosmetics more effectively.
The new authority will include the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other relevant institutions, according to Magsi.
The minister also noted that the regulatory framework would cover the online sale of cosmetics, addressing growing concerns over unregulated products being marketed through digital platforms.
Federal Minister for Defence Production, Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, warned that Pakistan currently has virtually no effective control over cosmetics being sold in the market.
He cited past instances of cosmetics containing mercury, which could cause serious health problems, including skin cancer, and highlighted the absence of proper legislation and standards as a barrier to exporting Pakistani cosmetic products.
Harraj estimated that around USD 500 million worth of cosmetics are being smuggled into Pakistan annually, a significant concern for the industry.
Senator Afnan Ullah Khan observed that the unregulated cosmetics business offers exceptionally high profit margins, making the sector particularly attractive for illegal trade.
The committee also discussed the growing online cosmetics market, with members raising concerns that products are being sold without adequate quality or safety checks.
Cosmetics manufacturers have become billionaires.
Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, Federal Minister for Defence Production
The unregulated cosmetics business offered exceptionally high profit margins, making the sector particularly attractive for illegal trade.
Afnan Ullah Khan, Senator
