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The Government attaches great importance to ensuring the safety of facial cream supplied in Hong Kong, a spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today (July 8).

Facial cream products, just as other consumer goods, are subject to the control of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).

Under CGSO, manufacturers, importers and suppliers are required to ensure that consumer goods they manufacture, import and supply are reasonably safe.

To provide an easy reference for traders to comply with the General Safety Requirement under the CGSO, the Government today (July 8) issued a circular to traders on two safety standards identified as applicable for testing the safety of facial cream.

They are GB7916-87 "Hygienic Standards for Cosmetics" of the National Standard of Peoples' Republic of China, and European Council Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products.

These two standards have laid down comprehensive requirements for facial cream, including the restricted substances and amount of additives, and provided detailed testing methods. Compliance with these standards would likely be considered as having met the minimum safety standards as required under GSR.

The spokesman said that these standards, however, were not meant to be exhaustive, and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise would update the list of standards when necessary.

Traders who wish to obtain these standards are advised to approach the Product Standards Information Bureau, Innovation and Technology Commission, 36th floor, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai.

The Customs and Excise Department will continue to conduct safety tests on facial cream on sale in Hong Kong from time to time. Traders who manufacture, import and supply consumer goods which do not comply with GSR are liable to prosecution.

In 2002, the Department initiated five prosecutions against traders dealing in unsafe facial cream. Four of them were concluded with a total fine of $86,000. Prosecution against the remaining case is still ongoing.

In order to enhance the awareness of traders on safety of consumer goods and increase their understanding of the requirements under CGSO, the Department organised five seminars for traders in 2002 and will continue to do so.

Traders who are interested in these seminars are invited to call the Senior Trade Controls Officer at 2231 4194.

End/Tuesday, July 8, 2003

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