The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) today (March 14) urged members of the public not to use a type of cosmetic cream with mercury content exceeding the permissible limit.
Customs officers have recently drawn from the market samples of a cosmetic set, namely "Collagen Beauty Suit" for safety test by the Government Laboratory. The "Collagen Night Cream" of the cosmetic set was found to contain mercury content of 16,000 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
The tolerable limit of mercury content stipulated in the "Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics" of the China National Health Inspection (2007 Edition) of the People's Republic of China is 1mg/kg.
C&ED today conducted investigation at the retailer shop in Tsuen Wan where samples of the cosmetic set had been drawn earlier. In the meantime, territory-wide surveillance checks were also conducted and two more retailer shops in Central and North Point were found supplying the same night cream in different package sets. A total of about 600 sets of cosmetic sets were seized in our operation. Enforcement actions are continuing.
Chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms may include tremors, irritability, insomnia, deterioration of memory, difficulty in concentration, impaired hearing and vision, and change in the tasting ability. In severe cases, renal failure may occur.
A Customs spokesperson said today that the department was committed to the protection of consumer interests by ensuring that consumer goods, including cosmetic products, were reasonably safe for use by consumers. The department will keep a close watch on information relating to unsafe products announced by local, Mainland and overseas authorities, and will regularly conduct spot checks at retailers and draw samples for safety tests.
Under the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirement for consumer goods.
The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $100,000 and an imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and an imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.
To report suspected unsafe consumer goods, consumers can write to the Consumer Protection Bureau (1) on the 14/F, Customs Headquarters Building, 222 Java Road, North Point or call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Friday, March 14 2014
