Development raises questions amid ministry’s notification of new authority
By Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The high-powered Right-Sizing Committee, formed by the federal government to streamline government entities, has proposed the dissolution of the newly notified Cosmetic Authority, just days after its establishment by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).
According to reliable sources, the committee, tasked with reducing redundant government bodies to cut costs, expressed astonishment over the creation of the new authority despite its earlier directive against such moves. During its recent meeting, the committee reiterated that the issues related to cosmetics are already covered by existing government organizations, eliminating the need for a separate authority.
A representative of the Cosmetics Manufacturers Association, however, refuted claims that the committee had recommended winding up the authority. According to the representative, the committee was informed that all expenses for establishing and running the authority would be borne by the association itself.
Meanwhile, the manner in which the authority was hastily notified by MoST has raised eyebrows. Observers within the ministry have noted that this development, initially celebrated internally, contradicts the Right-Sizing Committee’s stance and raises concerns about redundancy and inefficiency.
Concerns about new authority:
The move to create a new authority appears to duplicate the mandate of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), which already oversees standards and quality control for various sectors, including cosmetics. Industry experts fear this duplication will create unnecessary trade barriers, complicate the regulatory landscape, and increase operational confusion for businesses.
By adding overlapping roles, the new authority could drive up compliance costs, extend approval timelines, and negatively impact competitiveness. Moreover, the establishment of a separate entity introduces risks of corruption, such as bribery, favoritism, and red tape, undermining transparency and accountability.
The decision also seems to conflict with Pakistan’s commitments under the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement, which emphasizes transparency, the elimination of redundant standards, and streamlined regulatory procedures.
The creation of the authority is also going to impose additional financial burdens on the government, requiring investments in infrastructure, personnel, and administrative support for a potentially overlapping bureaucracy.
Currently, the government needs to include clarifying roles among existing authorities, to enhance inter-ministerial coordination, and ensure compliance with WTO agreements. A streamlined, corruption-free regulatory system would foster a trade-friendly environment, reduce financial strain, and improve efficiency.
