BPOM Finds Illegal Cosmetics Total Rp31.7 Billion, Most Yogyakarta Followed By Jakarta
JAKARTA - The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) said it found violations and alleged illegal cosmetic production and distribution crimes worth more than Rp31.7 billion, a significant increase of more than 10 times compared to supervision in 2024.
Head of BPOM Taruna Ikrar said the findings were based on simultaneous supervision throughout Indonesia on 10-18 February 2025.
He explained that these findings involved factories, importers, brand owners, distributors, beauty clinics, resellers, and cosmetic retailers indicated to be trading or producing illegal cosmetics.
Of the 709 facilities examined, he said, as many as 340 facilities or 48 percent did not meet the provisions.
BPOM officers found 205,133 pieces of illegal cosmetics (4,334 items/variants) of 91 brands in circulation, consisting of 79.9 percent of cosmetics without distribution permits, 17.4 percent of which contained prohibited/dangerous materials, including blue-ethicked skincare that did not comply with the provisions, 2.6 percent of expired cosmetics, and 0.1 percent were injection cosmetics.
"The majority of these illegal products are imported cosmetics -60 percent - which are viral online. Cosmetic products that do not comply with the provisions as listed on attachments are very risky to endanger health," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, May 2.
In addition to the discovery of cosmetic distribution activities without distribution permits, there are also allegations of criminal acts in the form of cosmetic production activities containing prohibited/dangerous ingredients, including mass creation of blue-ethnic skincare, repeated violations, as well as the use of prohibited materials such as hydrokinons, retinoate acid, antibiotics, and steroids.
The findings of this illegal cosmetic product were obtained from all over Indonesia, but there are several areas with significant findings.
Yogyakarta is the area with the most findings up to more than Rp11.2 billion, followed by findings in Jakarta which reached more than Rp10.3 billion, Bogor with findings of more than Rp4.8 billion, Palembang with findings reaching Rp1.7 billion, and Makassar the findings reached Rp1.3 billion.
"The number of these findings shows that the circulation of illegal cosmetics is still a problem that needs to be watched out for, especially in areas with a high level of cosmetic consumption," he said.
On that occasion, he reminded that cosmetics should only be promoted if they already have a BPOM distribution permit, and carried out in accordance with BPOM Regulation Number: 18 of 2024 concerning the Signing, Promotion, and Cosmetic Advertising.
Through this cosmetic surveillance intensification activity, BPOM hopes that all relevant stakeholders will support efforts to eradicate the circulation of illegal cosmetics. Not only does it risk endangering the health of the public, but the circulation of illegal cosmetics also risks harming the country's economy and reducing the competitiveness of domestic cosmetic products.
"We invite content influencers/creators to participate in disseminating the results of this supervision intensification as a form of education to the public regarding the selection and use of safe cosmetics. In addition, to always provide comprehensive, objective, and in accordance with the provisions," he said.
He also reminded business actors to run their business by complying with applicable regulations, and continue to be committed to ensuring their products to meet the legality, security, benefits, and quality provisions. Not to forget, the public is also advised to become smart and empowered consumers by continuing to increase literacy and implement KLIK Checks before buying or using cosmetic products, namely Package Checks, Labels, distribution permits, and Expiration.
"The public is expected to only buy and get cosmetics from clear sales facilities. If you buy cosmetics online, make sure the purchases are made through official online stores," said Taruna.