Multi-country Meeting on Strengthening the Elimination of Mercury-added Skin-lightening Products (SLPs)
5-6 June 2025
Colombo, Sri Lanka
The workshop organized jointly by the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO), the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), and the Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT RRC.AP), the workshop focused on the growing public health threat posed by toxic cosmetics, particularly mercury-containing skin lightening products. The meeting had representatives from government agencies, customs departments, health and environmental institutions, and NGOs across Asia.
Participants shared national progress, policy gaps, and enforcement challenges in phasing out mercury-added SLPs, in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Difficulties posed by online trade, limited laboratory testing infrastructure, and persistent cultural perceptions linking lighter skin to beauty and status were majorly emphasized during the workshop.
The two-day workshop featured technical sessions on mercury regulation, risk assessment, legal enforcement, consumer awareness, and cross-border cooperation. In-depth, the country’s updates were presented, fostering an open exchange of best practices and needs.
Concluding the event, participants committed to reviewing and strengthening national regulations, boosting laboratory and customs capacity, and developing targeted awareness campaigns. The workshop reinforced the urgency of implementing the Minamata Convention and protecting vulnerable populations especially women and youth from the harmful effects of toxic cosmetics.
