The Senate Committee on Science and Technology on Wednesday approved legislation seeking to prohibit the sale of energy drinks to children under 18 in educational institutions in the federal capital, with violators facing fines of up to Rs100,000.
The panel, chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, also approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill after detailed deliberations.
The proposed legislation provides for the establishment of a regulatory authority to oversee the manufacture, import and sale of cosmetics, including fairness creams.
Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Harraj said substandard fairness creams were among the major causes of cancer in the country. He said there was currently no effective control over cosmetics in Pakistan and that mercury had been used in cosmetic products.
He said the absence of legislation and proper standards had also prevented Pakistani cosmetics from being exported. The cosmetics industry had significant potential and legislation could help establish a new, regulated industry, he added.
Harraj said Chichawatni had emerged as a major centre for cosmetics manufacturing, adding that manufacturers had amassed billions of rupees through the business.
He said people also brought large quantities of cosmetics from abroad and sold them at major stores. Following the introduction of legislation, imported cosmetics would have to be brought into the country after payment of duties, he added.
