Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
In an effort to address the challenges faced by the cosmetics industry in Pakistan and to regulate the import/export and business of general cosmetics, the government has approved the draft bill for the establishment of the first ever Pakistan General Cosmetics Authority under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
During a recent meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Science and Technology, the committee recommended approving “The Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2023” moved by James Iqbal MNA, with certain amendments.
As per details, in the absence of a regulatory body there were problems in marketing, manufacturing, exporting, and importing general cosmetics products. There was a need for a separate authority to regulate the complex business of the cosmetics sector and to generate revenue to support the industry’s growth on a global scale. The global cosmetic market, currently valued at $341 billion, is expected to reach $560 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1 percent from 2021 to 2030.
As per officials the proposed Pakistan General Cosmetics Authority bill would be responsible for regulating the import/export, manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of general cosmetics in Pakistan under the administrative control of the Ministry.
The draft bill was of the view that the cosmetic industry is a rapidly growing global sector and legislation is crucial to generate revenue and promote the industry’s growth in Pakistan.
Currently, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) oversees the standards of domestically produced cosmetic products. However, due to its possible implications on health and the nature of sourcing (import/export), the subject requires oversight by other ministries and departments.
With the approval of the draft bill for the Pakistan General Cosmetics Authority, the government aims to enhance the regulation and growth of the cosmetics industry, ensuring consumer safety and boosting the industry’s contribution to the national economy.
The House passed two private member’s bill and referred one legislative proposal to the relevant standing committee. JUI-F lawmaker James Iqbal sponsored the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2023 which is aimed to regulate the quality, standard, labeling, packing, manufacturing, storage, distribution and sales of general cosmetics.
The bill was presented in the House as reported by the relevant standing committee and was passed after incorporating two amendments.
Moved by a Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) lawmaker Zubaida Jalal, the Housed passed the Export Processing Zones Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
The proposed amendment would achieve the objective of valuable participation of the people in rules making process, meaningful exercise of authority by the Minister-in-Charge to assume Primary responsibility for the disposal of business pertaining to his portfolio including rule making and efficient and effective parliamentary oversight relating to delegated legislation.
A bill, the National Institute of Technology Bill, 2023 was referred to the relevant committee after its introduction in the House.
The bill was sponsored by five lawmakers including James Iqbal (JUI-F), Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das (PML-N), Syed Javed Hasnain (PMNL-N), Syed Imran Shahid Shah (PML-N) and Ch. Zulfiqar Bhinder.
Moved by PML-N Lawmaker Syed Javed Hasnain, the House passed a motion to refer the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to the joint sitting for consideration.
In addition, five reports of the Standing Committee on Energy (Petroleum Division) were presented in the House on the various matters referred to them.
Responding to a calling attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Communications Shahida Akhtar Ali told the house that Havelian-Thakot, Hakla-D.I. Khan and Multan-Sukkur motorway projects had been completed and were operational. She said the work on other road infrastructure projects under the CPEC is in progress.
The House will now meet again today (Wednesday) at 1 pm.
