Presence of Heavy Metals in Cosmetic Products
The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 prohibit cosmetics containing Mercury compounds and also the use of lead and arsenic compounds for the purpose of colouring cosmetics. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides for 30 Indian Standards on finished cosmetics. Out of these 24 standards have specified the limits for heavy metals, namely, lead (Pb) and arsenic (as As2O3). The prescribed maximum limits are 20 ppm for lead and 2 ppm for Arsenic.
The State/UT Drugs Control Authorities, who grant licences for manufacture of cosmetics draw samples for testing of cosmetics and take action in the manner as prescribed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
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