Ribble Valley MP calls for new rules after report reveals beauty products face less regulations than a ballpoint pen

Ribble Valley MP Maya Ellis says regulation of the cosmetics industry must keep up with innovation.

She was speaking after a report she was involved in found many products face less regulation than ballpoint pens.

The report by the Government’s Science and Technology Committee, which Maya is a member of, found that guidelines governing the industry are a “confusing mess” and have failed to adapt to newer products like fillers.

The committee warns that while the cosmetics industry is a highly technical sector that uses complex chemicals, UK regulation often treats hair and beauty products as inert consumer goods.

Last week, the Government announced new safeguards to protect anyone undergoing high-risk procedures, such as liquid Brazilian butt lifts and chemical peels, which must now be carried out by qualified, trained and regulated professionals.

But Maya and other MPs say the 13-year delay to regulate high-risk, high-volume fillers is unacceptable and more action must now follow to improve safety across other treatments.

Maya’s campaigning for tougher regulation of the sector has seen her work with one of her constituents, Dr Natalie Haworth, to raise the risks of unqualified practitioners in Parliament after the medical professional reported botched cosmetic surgery was increasing.

Dr Natalie’s clinic, The Doctor & Company, regularly sees patients who have been left with complications caused by poorly trained practitioners.

The report found that existing regulations have failed to keep up with new products such as injectables, leaving consumers without basic protections on products like fat dissolvers and skin brighteners.

Recommendations in the report include the introduction of a new product safety framework and mandatory national training and qualifications for anyone administering Botox.

Online marketplaces much be held accountable for the products they profit from and the government must establish a single point of contact for reporting cosmetic harm, alongside routes through which consumers can seek support and redress, it says

The committee said there is also insufficient research into chemical hair relaxers and other products used primarily by black women and girls, and it called for further research to close gaps in knowledge and trust.

Maya said: “Anyone undergoing a cosmetic procedure should be able to trust the person they’re paying for the treatment, but that’s not always the case, which can have devastating results.

“Up to now, this traditionally women-led industry has not been prioritised by the government, leaving customers at potential risk of harm

“We’ve found discrepancies, too, in knowledge around different products, including chemical hair relaxers used primarily by black women and girls, meaning regulation around these products is insufficient.

“The bottom line is that the cosmetics industry is a science industry, and should be treated with the same level of research and regulation so that we can protect anyone undergoing treatments and procedures.

“I’m grateful to Dr Natalie for the time she put in to raising issues within the industry with me that have contributed to this and last week’s announcement.”

Dr Natalie said: “For too long, customers undergoing procedures have faced untold risks from under-qualified practitioners, so I’m pleased to see the government placing the cosmetics industry under scrutiny.

“This new report shines a spotlight on what I’ve been seeing at my clinic for a number of years and I’m grateful to Maya for her support in giving a voice to all those customers and those professionals conforming to proper standards. I look forward to seeing real change in the industry and will continue to support where I can.”