Cosmetics and nutra industry seeks extension in new labelling rule
View(s):Sri Lanka’s cosmetics and nutraceuticals industry is appealing to the Government to extend a new labelling requirement.
Nutraceutical, made up of the words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’, is generally a food supplement that is said to provide health and medical benefits.
The extension request was made by the President of the Sri Lanka Cosmetics and Nutraceuticals Traders Association, Ahamed Rheyas.
In a letter he has asked the Health Minister for an extension of the deadline by one year the 3-language labeling requirements effective from 1st January 2013.
“Although the Association appreciates the need for such labeling, it has pointed out some of the difficulties encountered in implementing the order within the stipulated time limit. The international suppliers are facing difficulties in printing small number of cartons and boxes in three languages.
The Sinhala and Tamil languages fonts have to be encrypted on to the packaging which for our small volume requirements is not a viable proposition. However this can be insisted upon given an extended period of one more year before it is made mandatory,” according to an Association statement.
The Association has suggested the following to the Ministry for consideration:
=All products manufactured after 01-01-2014 to have labels in three languages.
=Smaller packs of 10G and below to have the three language texts only in the pack inserts.
=All liquid preparations in small ampoules and tubes (eg. Serum) with 10 ml or below also to have three languages text only in the pack insert.
The currently imported stocks which are already in the market will definitely have a little more than one year’s shelf life, it said.
This extension by one year will give the traders time to liquidate these stocks.
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