THE WHAT? Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026, with two amendments, as lawmakers seek to strengthen oversight of cosmetics sold in the country.
THE DETAILS The proposed legislation follows the federal government’s January 2025 decision to wind up the Pakistan General Cosmetics Regulatory Authority, which had been established under the Pakistan General Cosmetics Act, 2023. During its review, the committee raised concerns over unregulated and potentially harmful cosmetic products, as well as products entering Pakistan through smuggling and informal trade. Lawmakers also discussed how responsibilities should be divided between the proposed cosmetics regulatory framework and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, calling for clearly defined responsibilities and effective checks and balances.
THE WHY? The bill signals renewed efforts to establish clearer regulatory oversight of Pakistan’s growing cosmetics market, with implementation and coordination between regulatory authorities likely to be critical to improving product safety and addressing unregulated trade.
Source: DAWN
