ACA – Cosmetic Claims
September 11, 2009 by Jo · Leave a Comment
The Australian Consumers Association would like to see the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia have the power to fine the cosmetics industry for violation of their Advertising code.
ACA health policy officer Viola Korczak said the companies were making claims that continually pushed the boundaries.
“It is in the companies’ interest to put out an ad with a misleading claim because if someone does lodge a complaint, by the time it is processed the ad could have run for weeks or months.” She stated “There is little incentive for them to follow the rules.”
The committee for the TGA was under resourced she said and did not monitor ads itself but relied on consumers making complaints about fanciful and misleading claims, although cosmetic companies have made complaints about each other for competitive advantage.
In the past year, the companies that own Lancome, Clinique, L’Oreal and Payot have all been ordered to withdraw advertisements.