Competition Commission of Pakistan cracks down on mercury-laden whitening creams

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) – The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has launched a nationwide investigation into companies manufacturing, marketing, and selling skin whitening creams containing dangerous levels of mercury, in a move aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring fair competition in the cosmetics industry.

According to Dawn, the CCP’s Office of Fair Trade and Market Intelligence Unit found that several popular whitening creams sold in stores and online contain dangerously high mercury levels. Many of these products falsely advertise themselves as “safe” and “effective,” while concealing their toxic ingredients.

Mercury is a highly toxic substance that can cause kidney damage, neurological disorders, and skin diseases. Its use in cosmetics is banned in most countries, yet in Pakistan, many creams continue to use it under misleading labels such as “fairness,” “glow,” and “lightening.”

Under Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010, deceptive marketing practices are prohibited and can result in fines of up to Rs75 million or 10 percent of a company’s annual turnover.

The CCP said it has initiated legal action against all companies involved in producing or promoting these hazardous products, warning that such practices not only endanger public health but also distort fair market competition.

Consumers have been urged to immediately stop using whitening creams suspected of containing mercury and to report deceptive advertising or unsafe cosmetic products through the CCP’s online complaint portal.