Pakistan Plans New Cosmetics Law to Curb Smuggling

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has taken an in-principle decision to introduce new legislation for the cosmetics sector to curb smuggling and regulate the industry, as the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has directed the Pakistan Cosmetics Manufacturers Association (PCMA) to obtain formal registration.

The committee reviewed the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill 2026 during a meeting held here on Monday under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha.

During the meeting, Senator Kamil Ali Agha said no single association could be given an exclusive mandate under the proposed legislation. He said the association should complete its membership of 100 representatives and register with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

He stressed that the proposed law should not create the impression that only one association could be registered or recognised in the cosmetics sector.

Officials from the Ministry of Law questioned how an association could be given formal recognition under the law if it had not yet been registered.

Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Harraj told the committee that the proposed bill would help curb smuggling in the cosmetics sector. He added that the cosmetics manufacturers’ association would be represented on the relevant board.

Officials informed the committee that the Pakistan Cosmetics Manufacturers Association was registered with the relevant authorities. They also said the proposed legislation would broaden the scope of regulation to cover manufacturers and importers.

The committee chairman asked whether any proposals had been prepared regarding amendments to the bill. In response to a question from Senator Afnanullah about whether the relevant authorities were satisfied with the proposed legislation, cosmetics officials said they were satisfied with it.

However, representatives of the Pakistan Cosmetics Manufacturers Association raised objections to sub-clause 4 of Clause 2 of the proposed amendment bill.

During the discussion, Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Harraj said the name All Pakistan General Cosmetics Association had been finalised. He warned that if agreement could not be reached on the name, the association would be unable to register under it.

He added that the government did not want to undermine the association’s previous identity or legacy.

The proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening regulation of the cosmetics industry, expanding oversight of manufacturers and importers, and addressing smuggling. The bill remains under consideration as the committee examines issues related to association registration and representation in the regulatory framework.