MOVES to ban toxic makeup in the city has begun.
Led by Councilor Philian Weygan–Allan who chairs the committee on market, trade, commerce, and agriculture, a public hearing was conducted this week gathering stakeholders.
Allan said stakeholders were one in backing the move to rid the city of toxic cosmetic with mall and store owner pledging support of the new law.
The lady lawmaker said input on labeling and compliance will be added to the ordinance.
The ordinance seeks to ban the manufacture, distribution and sale of cosmetics containing mercury that exceeds the allowable limit of one ppm, as prescribed by the Food and Drug Authority.
Present in the hearing where Dr. Purita Chan Noble, Aiden Bermisa and, Jef Tamondong from the Department of Health, Grace Bumacas from the Department on Environment and Natural Resource, Jeremias Agpes and Richard Limpin from the Department of Trade and Industry with representatives from the malls, business establishments who all agreed that the ordinance is necessary and implementable.
Previously, Mayor Benjamin Magalong asked the City Council to take the call to ban toxic makeup as urgent.
Immediately, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan filed an ordinance seeking the ban on distribution, manufacture and sale of whitening products containing mercury.
Olowan’s proposal was approved in the first reading which seeks to put fines ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 for violators caught with mercury-laden products.
Months ago, the EcoWaste Coalition wrote the city mayor urging the protection of consumers against mercury-tainted cosmetics after a test buy operation where the group was again able to buy cosmetics laden with mercury, a highly toxic chemical that is forbidden as an ingredient in cosmetic product formulations, the items all imported, unregistered and lacking market authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), were from beauty and health product stores at Baguio Center Mall and the Maharlika Livelihood Complex and from general merchandise stores located at Magsaysay Ave. and Rajah Soliman St.
When the legislation is approved, Baguio City will be the second local government unit in the country to ban and penalize the production, distribution, and sale of skin lightening products contaminated with toxic mercury.