MPs have branded the regulation of hair and beauty products in the UK “unacceptable” following the publication of a new report by the Parliamentary Science and Technology Committee.
The report, launched on November 4, concluded that current regulation is confusing for prospective patients, practitioners and enforcement officers alike. It stated that, despite the hair and beauty sector evolving rapidly through new technologies and innovations, the regulatory framework has failed to keep pace with scientific developments in products and treatments, as well as changes in how they are supplied and marketed to consumers.
In addition, the report warned that products containing powerful chemicals are increasingly being promoted to and used by children, whose developing skin may be particularly vulnerable to damage. It added that a lack of public awareness means some parents are purchasing products for their children without fully understanding the potential for long-term harm.
Furthermore, the report outlines that product safety laws have not kept pace with online marketplaces, with illegal and dangerous products now reaching UK consumers faster and in greater volumes than regulators can police, often without anyone in the UK being reliably accountable.
Dame Chi Onwurah, chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said, “Years of delay have left dangerous gaps in regulation and exposed people to avoidable harm. Complacency over this has clear roots in sexism and racism, with no other sector of its size having such a high proportion of female-owned businesses. Action, not just a consultation, is long overdue, and quick solutions must be found to regulate injectable products like fat dissolvers and skin brighteners, whilst making sure any regulation doesn’t push female-led businesses off the market. The cosmetics specialty is a science specialty, and science must be at the heart of how its regulated.”