In the Netherlands, many skin whitening products are still sold with banned and harmful ingredients. That is the conclusion of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, on the basis of 88 checks that were held at sellers last year. A large number of products contained hydroquinone, corticosteroids and mercury compounds. These are substances that have been banned since 2001. They are used by people who want whiter skin or to get rid of spots.
The banned ingredients can lead to permanent skin damage, a disturbed hormone balance or damage to the nervous system in users. For example, hydroquinone can lead to large white spots or small black pigment accumulations. As a result, the skin can even become darker, the opposite of what the products promise, says the NVWA.
The illegal skin whiteners are often sold in Asian and Afrocosmetic stores. They are often imported in small quantities from outside the EU and not through the wholesalers and importers known to the NVWA. The products containing prohibited substances were immediately withdrawn from the market and destroyed.
Reports and fines
In 31 cases, the NVWA drew up a report because things were wrong. In 21 cases, this was because inspectors in stores found prohibited ingredients on the labels of the products. In 10 cases the banned substances were demonstrated by laboratory research. Fines were imposed ranging from 525 to 2625 euros. In four cases where the violation was less serious, a warning was sufficient.
The NVWA not only checks sellers, but also tries to stop prohibited products through import controls.
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