A recent spot-check by Ministry of Health (MOH) investigators
found 10.5 percent of imported cosmetics and 8.3 percent domestic
products failing to meet quality standards, the Ministry announced
on Wednesday.
The MOH examined 43,125 cosmetic products across the country
last year, of which 91.5 percent met quality standards, equaling
that of the previous year.
In September last year, the sale of SK-II cosmetics was
suspended in China after quarantine quality and control authorities
discovered chromium and neodymium in twelve SK-II products imported
from Japan.
Thousands of angry consumers demanded refunds following media
reports suggesting that chromium could cause eczema and neodymium
could cause skin irritation, along with damage to the lungs and
liver if inhaled.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection
and Quarantine, later commented in a joint statement with the MOH
in October that traces of the banned substances would not affect
the health of customers. They subsequently revoked the ban on the
sale of SK-II cosmetics in China.
(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2007)