Tested Chinese cosmetics from online stores are real pollution bombs

A Swiss consumer watchdog has found all 15 Chinese-made cosmetics tested from online shops to be non-compliant with national regulations, raising serious concerns over safety and legality. The products, sourced from platforms such as Shein, Temu, AliExpress, and Fruugo, were found to contain prohibited substances, exceed legal limits for certain ingredients, and have inaccurate ingredient declarations. None of the items passed the rigorous testing conducted by the Cantonese Laboratory in Basel-Stadt. The testing was initiated by “Kassensturz,” a Swiss organization known for its investigative reports on consumer goods. The group targeted online retailers with a focus on products potentially containing harmful chemicals. All 15 samples were ordered directly from international e-commerce platforms and shipped from China. They were significantly cheaper than similar products available in Switzerland, making them attractive to budget-conscious consumers. Testing procedures included analyzing each product for banned substances, verifying compliance with maximum allowable levels for specific components, and checking whether manufacturers accurately listed all ingredients. According to test leader Urs Hauri, a chemist at the Cantonese Laboratory, these products often contain a wide range of substances that are either prohibited or not permitted under Swiss law. He emphasized that many of these substances pose potential health risks, particularly for children who might come into contact with them through play. Swiss food and cosmetic regulations define which substances can be used in beauty products, including preservatives, colorants, and fragrances. Products that violate these rules receive the rating “non-conforming.” In this case, all 15 products failed to meet the standards. Fourteen contained unauthorized substances, more than half exceeded permissible thresholds, and twelve had incorrect labeling. These findings suggest a systemic issue with imported cosmetics from China. Imported products purchased directly from third countries, excluding EU nations, are subject to different rules. Consumers bear responsibility for ensuring their purchases comply with local laws. Despite the alarming results, authorities cannot take action against individuals importing such goods privately. Gregor McCombi, head of the Cantonese Laboratory, noted that current legislation explicitly excludes private imports from regulatory oversight. The affected online platforms responded to the allegations. AliExpress, Fruugo, Shein, and Temu stated they had removed the problematic products from their offerings. However, there is no indication that the broader selection of Chinese-made cosmetics available on these sites has been comprehensively reviewed for compliance. This leaves open questions about the extent of risk posed to consumers. With no immediate measures planned to address the issue beyond individual responsibility, the situation highlights a gap in consumer protection. While the tested products are clearly unsafe, the lack of enforcement mechanisms means that the public continues to face potential exposure to harmful substances. The incident underscores the need for greater transparency and stricter controls on imported beauty products, especially those sold through global e-commerce channels.