Feb 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka Cosmetics, Devices & Drugs Authority said that the process of monitoring the mercury content in the cosmetics is hindered due to the non-availability of the standards.

Officials said that the Sri Lanka Standards Institute is yet to compile the standards for the content of mercury in products such as soaps and bleaching creams.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning against skin lightening soaps, creams and cosmetics like eye makeup, cleansing products and mascara, saying they could be containing mercury. The Director of the Drug Authority Dr. Hemantha Benaragama said the cosmetics can be inspected and the harmful products might be removed from the market once the standards are decided.

The Director also pointed out that the cosmetics that contain lead and arsenic also cause illnesses and they should also be removed from the market.

National Drugs Authority has appointed a Cosmetics Evaluation Committee comprising pharmacologists, dermatologists, government analysts and the Ayurvedic herbal experts to look into the matter.