On September 19, 2024, the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) wrote a letter to the Health Department of Provinces and Municipalities, urging the Departments to strictly enforce cosmetic regulations to reduce cosmetic non-compliance.
Background
Currently, a significant number of non-compliant cosmetics present in the Vietnamese market. The inspections of cosmetic production and operation have revealed several issues, including:
Mismatches between the operating addresses of cosmetic companies and those listed in their notification dossiers.
Changes in production and trading locations without reporting to authorities.
Failure to fully comply with cosmetic production requirements.
Production and distribution of cosmetics that do not meet quality standards and/or lack a notification receipt number obtained from the DAV.
Cosmetics with medicinal properties claims.
The online sale of hand-carried, counterfeit, or unknown-origin cosmetic products that lack a notification receipt number (including sales on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Zalo, YouTube, etc.).
Misleading advertising of cosmetics that do not align with product features and functions listed in notification dossiers.
DAV’s Requirements
To combat the above non-compliant cosmetics, enhance management and protect consumer safety, the DAV outlines three key actions for provincial and municipal health departments:
1. Strengthening Cosmetic Inspection
The DAV emphasizes the need to enhance inspections and examinations of compliance throughout the production and trading processes.
2. Coordinating with Local Authorities
Provincial and municipal health departments are required to collaborate closely with the local Steering Committee 389, the Market Management Department, and other relevant authorities to strengthen the inspections of cosmetics in the marketplace.
Particular attention should be given to the trading of cosmetics on e-commerce platforms and social media, aiming to promptly identify and address illegal activities, counterfeit cosmetics, those without notification numbers, and those of unknown origin. Additionally, provincial and municipal health departments should enhance the management of advertising content to ensure it aligns with the features and nature of cosmetics and notification dossiers.
3. Imposing Strict Penalties
DAV notes that organizations and individuals who violate cosmetics production and trading regulations will face strict penalties. This includes the recall and destruction of counterfeit products, those of unknown origin, and any cosmetics that do not meet safety and quality standards and are unsafe for users.