Local cosmetics industry gets relief as senate committee approves revised bill

A Senate committee has unanimously passed the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026, with amendments aimed at making the proposed law

Islamabad:  A Senate committee has unanimously passed the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026, with amendments aimed at making the proposed law more supportive of local manufacturers and importers and avoiding unnecessary hurdles for new businesses.

The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology approved the bill on Monday after reviewing its sections one by one and hearing views from industry representatives. The committee agreed to revise the definition of an association to allow wider representation of domestic manufacturers and accepted changes intended to benefit both local producers and importers.

The bill had been referred back by the House during its sitting on October 14, 2026, along with amendments proposed by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. The committee’s approval followed consultations with key stakeholders, held in line with its earlier directions.

During the meeting, the chairman asked how many companies were operating in the sector and sought details about their registration with the Directorate General of Trade Organizations, the Federal Board of Revenue, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and the relevant sales tax departments.

The committee stressed that registered industry representatives should take an active part in consultations so that the views of genuine businesses could be included in the lawmaking process.

The Secretary of Science and Technology explained that removing the word “General” before “Association” in the bill’s definitions would allow broader representation of domestic manufacturers. The committee agreed that forming associations in different regions should not be made unnecessarily difficult and that the legal framework should not create complicated rules or operating barriers for emerging businesses.

The committee then accepted the revised definition amendment. The change is intended to give both local manufacturers and importers a wider place in the proposed framework.

Members also discussed the market for cosmetic products, including the import of raw materials used by local factories and the direct import of finished products. The chairman examined the balance between raw materials brought into Pakistan for local production and ready made cosmetic goods imported from abroad.

The discussion focused on understanding the relationship between domestic manufacturing and imported products before finalising the proposed legal framework. Following detailed deliberations and agreement among members, the committee unanimously passed the bill with the amendments included.

The decision marks progress for the proposed cosmetics law, but the committee’s approval does not by itself mean that the bill has become law. Further parliamentary steps may still be required.