The Ministry of Health has issued a directive urging intensified inspection of cosmetics trading on e-commerce platforms and social media networks like TikTok and Facebook to detect and address unauthorized production and suspected counterfeit products.

The request, outlined in an official dispatch signed on April 23 by Ta Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), comes amid rising violations in the production, marketing, and sale of cosmetics.

According to the DAV, recent reports from media and monitoring of company websites, e-commerce platforms, and social networks (including Facebook, TikTok, Zalo, and YouTube) reveal widespread trading of hand-carried, counterfeit, and untraceable cosmetic products.

Many of these have not been granted product announcement receipt numbers by authorized state management agencies, suggesting signs of smuggling and tax evasion.

In addition, misleading cosmetic advertisements have been reported. These include promotions that misrepresent a product’s nature, classification, or functionality as stated in its official declaration. Some ads falsely suggest that cosmetics have medicinal properties.

Others use the images, attire, names, letters, or statements of healthcare institutions, doctors, pharmacists, and other medical personnel, violating advertising regulations.

The Drug Administration has instructed provincial health departments to enhance inspection and enforcement of legal regulations regarding cosmetic production and sales.

Local agencies are also encouraged to actively coordinate with the 389 anti-smuggling task forces, local market management departments, and other relevant authorities to inspect the circulation of cosmetics in the market.

“Particular attention should be given to cosmetic businesses operating via e-commerce platforms and social networks such as TikTok, Zalo, Facebook, and YouTube, in order to promptly detect and penalize unauthorized production and sales, suspected counterfeits, unregistered products, and misleading advertisements that exaggerate the product’s properties or imply medicinal use,” the official dispatch stated.

Violating organizations and individuals must be strictly sanctioned in accordance with the law. Suspected fake, low-quality, or unsafe cosmetics must be recalled and destroyed.

Where criminal activity is suspected, case files must be referred to investigative agencies for criminal prosecution.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health stipulates that organizations and individuals are prohibited from manufacturing or outsourcing cosmetics at domestic facilities that have not been certified to meet production standards.

Products may only be circulated after obtaining a valid product announcement receipt from a competent state authority. The responsible parties must ensure the safety, quality, and effectiveness of these products.

Vo Thu