China cosmetics rank high in chemical risk list

By Michelle Yeomans

- Last updated on GMT

China cosmetics rank high in chemical risk list

Related tags European union International trade

China has 'once again' been named the front-runner of a "hit list" of dangerous products, according to the German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (Baua).

The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Germany revealed the largest product type on the list was consumer products for home and leisure, followed by cosmetics which included skin creams and hair dyes.

The RAPEX analysis system, which examines questionable products across many industries, detected 31.5% of defective products to have come from the People's Republic.

"In the case of RAPEX notifications, the largest product group was consumer products for home and leisure, followed by cosmetics. For example, tattoo inks, make-up, skin creams or hair dyes."

EU concerns with China’s cosmetics regulations

The European Union recently expressed its' concerns over China’s regulations on cosmetics at the World Trade Organisation’s technical standards committee. 

Backed by Canada and the United States, EU representatives explained they were looking to ensure that China trades fairly, respects intellectual property rights and meets its' WTO obligations.

Behind the US, China is Europe's second-largest trading partner and the continent is China's biggest trading partner, making over €1 billion a day in their venture.

However, the continents have not been seeing eye to eye lately on numerous trade issues...

China also expressed concerns

A total of 47 new trade concerns were raised at the World Trade Organisation’s technical standards committee so far this year, an all-time high in the WTO’s history.

Of those concerns, China was the target of three cases.

Combined with 38 old concerns, the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee reported 85 issues raised so far in 2014 and closing in on the record of 88 such cases in 2012. 

Of the total, China is involved in seven cases or almost 8%.

In the committee meeting in November, China also raised three new trade concerns over technical standards used by the European Union, over safety and technical standards on toys, household electrical appliances and IT security certification.

The TBT Committee is forum for discussion of technical regulations and standards maintained by WTO members. Concerns raised at it are generally informal and practical, and are resolved in the discussion. They do not immediately result in legal actions or formal settlement reporting procedure.

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