· -
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 968 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The troubling story of lead is almost 3,000 years old. Greek 
physicians and Roman architects were describing the symptoms of lead 
poisoning -
blindness, convulsions, brain damage, kidney disease and 
cancer -
in 100 B.C. One hundred years ago, lead poisoning in children 
was linked to the use of lead-based paints. By 1909, this new science 
had resulted in laws in France, Austria and Belgium banning paint made 
with white lead. As the science got stronger, the League of Nations and 
more countries -
including Greece, Great Britain, Tunisia, Spain, Sweden 
and Cuba - also banned lead.' 
In 1943, the first studies came out showing that lead could create 
health problems for children at much lower levels of exposure than those 
linked to poisoning symptoms. The science began to mount that some 
behavioral disorders, attention deficit and learning disabilities were coming 
from household exposure to lead' paint and from air pollution caused by lead 
in gasoline. Given that lead does not break down in the body but 
accumulates over time, small amounts of lead can add up to harm. 
While many may not be able to test for lead in cosmetic products, 
laboratory testing initiated by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has found that 
many cosmetic products from top brands do contain lead. Studies indicate that 
lead is a potent neurotoxin and linked to numerous other health and reproductive 
problems. Cosmetic products of known brands contain surprisingly high levels 
of lead, according to new product tests released October 11, 2007 by the 
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. 
Lead is a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and 
behavioral problems such as lowered IQ, reduced school performance and 
increased aggression. Pregnant women and young children are particularly 
vulnerable to lead exposure because lead easily crosses the placenta and 
may enter the fetal brain, where it interferes with normal development. Lead 
has also been linked to miscarriage, reduced fertility in both men and 
women, hormonal changes, menstrual irregularities and delays in the onset of 
puberty. Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick 
applied several times a day, every day, combined with lead in water and 
other sources, could add up to significant exposure levels. 


In the United States, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is calling on 
cosmetics companies to test their full product lines for lead, to reformulate 
immediately products found to, contain lead, to require from suppliers a 
guarantee that raw materials are free of lead and other contaminants, and to 
join the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in demanding that the FDA more 
strictly regulate personal care products. 
With the rising consumer awareness and sensitivity in the preparation of 
various consumer products, the general public are now becoming more and more 
conscious with respect to the chemical component being used in the preparation 
of cosmetic product being sold in the market. 
As such, the goal of this legislative measure is to protect the health of 
consumers by requiring the health and beauty industry to label their cosmetic 
products that contain lead so that the consumers will have a choice on their 
health and well being. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is eamestly requested. 
MANe M. LAP,. 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 968 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PRESCRIBING THE MANDATORY LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR 
COSMETIC PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN LEAD, PROVIDING PENAL TIES 
FOR ITS VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and ffouse of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Tit/e. - This Act shall be known as the "Safe Cosmetics 
Act of 2010". 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the 
interests of the consumer, promote his/her general welfare and to establish quality 
standards in cosmetic products to protect the health and general welfare of the general 
public. As such, the State shall implement measures to achieve the protection against 
hazards to health and safety and provide programs on Information, Education and 
Communication Campaign (IEC) to educate the general public. 
, 
Towards this end, 
the State shall enforce compulsory labeling of cosmetic 
products which has lead content to enable the public to obtain accurate information as 
to the nature, quality, and quantity of the contents of the cosmetic products and to 
facilitate evaluation of the health value of such consumer products. 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
(a) 
"Label" or "labeling" means the display of written, printed or graphic 
matter on any consumer product or its immediate container, tag, literature or other 
suitable material affixed thereto for the purpose of giving information as to identity, 
components, ingredients, attributes, directions for use, specifications and such other 
information as may be required by law or regulations. 
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SEC. 4. 
Mandatory Labeling Requirements. -
Within ninety (90) days 
, from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health (DOH), in consultation 
with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall issue the necessary guidelines 
and requirements for the mandatory labeling requirement for all cosmetic products that 
has lead content. 
SEC. 5. 
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign. -
The Department of Health (DOH), in consultation with the Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI), and in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), is 
hereby mandated to conduct a comprehensive and nationwide information, education 
and communication (lEe) campaign in order to inform the general public of the purpose 
and objectives envisioned under this Act. 
SEC. 6. 
Prohibited Acts on Labeling. - It shall be unlawful for any person, 
either as principal or agent, engaged in the labeling or packaging of any cosmetic 
product to display or distribute or to cause to be displayed or distributed in commerce, 
any cosmetic product whose label does not conform to the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 7. 
Penalties. - Any person who shall violate the prOVisions of this Act 
shall be subject to a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000) 
but not more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000) or imprisonment of 
not less than six (6) months but not more than six (6) years or both, at the discretion of 
the court, 
SEC. 8. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting, 
SEC. 9. 
Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly, 
SEC. 10. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
• 
Approved, 
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