ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has launched a nationwide crackdown against companies involved in the marketing and sale of substandard skin-whitening creams containing mercury levels exceeding approved limits.
According to an official statement, preliminary research conducted by the CCP’s Office of Fair Trade and Market Intelligence Unit revealed that several popular brands—both in physical markets and online—contain dangerously high levels of mercury.
The statement noted that these products are falsely marketed as safe and effective, while the ingredient lists do not disclose the presence of mercury.
Mercury is a toxic chemical known to cause neurological disorders, skin diseases, and kidney damage. Its use in cosmetics is completely banned in most countries.
The CCP observed that many skin-whitening creams in Pakistan—marketed under claims such as “fairness,” “glow,” and “lightening”—contain prohibited amounts of mercury.
Under Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010, false or misleading advertisements and marketing practices are prohibited. Violators may face penalties of up to PKR 75 million or 10% of their annual turnover.
The Commission has initiated proceedings against companies involved in the promotion or sale of these harmful products, warning that such practices not only endanger public health but also create unfair competition for law-abiding businesses.
The CCP urged consumers to avoid using creams suspected of containing mercury and to report misleading advertisements or unsafe products through the Commission’s online complaint portal, along with any supporting evidence.
