Rules soon for beauty industry
The Star, Metro - 13 July 2005

The Health Ministry is looking to regulate the Malaysian beauty industry to prevent unscrupulous elements from cheating customers and offering substandard services, said deputy health minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, after launching the Cosmobeaute Asia 2005 exhibition.

He explained that there were no laws or Acts that ensure the safety of cosmetic treatments and enhancements. He added that the Health Ministry is in the process of drafting a Cosmetic Act to regulate the beauty profession.

“We first need to talk to people in the industry and do some research.

“Doctors are regulated by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and can be deregistered. However, beauticians can only be charged under the penal code as there are no specific laws dealing with the issue,” added Dr Abdul Latiff.

He explained that the Health Ministry had received many reports of beauticians claiming to be doctors or experts who inject customers with various chemicals.
Dr Abdul Latiff (left) striking a gong to launch the event.


“This is already wrong, as only registered doctors should do this,” said Dr Abdul Latiff, who hoped that in future cosmeticians would also be required to register in order to practise.

The Health Ministry makes regular random checks on beauty centres and parlours, and also investigates complaints received.

Dr Abdul Latiff told guests that there was a need to regulate the beauty industry to protect consumers. He added that currently cosmetic products are regulated under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations Act 1984, which requires registrations for all cosmetics.

“This is to ensure the products are safe and also to prevent manufacturers from dumping their products in Malaysia,” he said.

Cosmobeaute Asia 2005 provided participants and exhibitors the chance to establish business networks and explore products and advances in body care and grooming. Over 200 companies from 20 countries participated in the exhibition.

For more detail on CosmoBeaute Asia 2005, visit www.ecmi.com.my or call Selina Goh at 03-8028 0820.