Indonesia's National Agency of Drug and Food Control (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan, BPOM) has identified 11 cosmetic products found to contain hazardous and/or prohibited substances during its routine market surveillance in the first quarter of 2026. The agency has revoked distribution permits, suspended manufacturing and import activities, and initiated enforcement actions against the responsible parties.
Surveillance Findings
The findings were the result of routine post-market surveillance of products circulating across Indonesia. Of the 11 non-compliant products identified:
- 4 brands were contract-manufactured cosmetics
- 2 brands were locally manufactured cosmetics
- 2 brands were imported cosmetics
- 3 brands were distributed without a valid distribution permit
All products were tested at BPOM laboratories and confirmed to fail safety requirements. The full list of affected products, including product names and images, is published in the official appendix to the press release.
Hazardous Substances Detected
BPOM detected the following hazardous and prohibited substances in the affected cosmetics:
- Retinoic acid (asam retinoat): May cause skin irritation and poses teratogenic risks to fetuses.
- Dexamethasone: A corticosteroid that may trigger dermatitis, acne, and hormonal disorders.
- Hydroquinone: Can cause permanent skin discoloration (ochronosis) and skin irritation.
- Mercury: Can cause permanent skin color changes, irritation, and organ damage including kidney failure.
- Red K10 dye: A prohibited colorant with carcinogenic potential; may also impair liver function.
- 1,4-Dioxane: A chemical compound classified as potentially carcinogenic.
Enforcement Actions
In response to the findings, BPOM has taken the following regulatory actions:
- Revocation of distribution permits for affected products
- Issuance of Temporary Suspension Orders (Penundaan Sementara Kegiatan / PSK) covering production, distribution, and import activities
- Conducting facility inspections at manufacturing sites and retail outlets across Indonesia
- Tracing the full production and distribution chains of the non-compliant products
BPOM emphasized that there is zero tolerance for the use of hazardous substances in cosmetic products.
Legal Basis
The distribution of cosmetics containing hazardous and/or prohibited substances constitutes a violation of Article 435(1) in conjunction with Article 138(2) of Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health (Undang-Undang . Under this provision, offenders may face:
- Imprisonment of up to 12 years
- A fine of up to IDR 5 billion (approximately USD 308,000)
These penalties apply to any individual or entity that manufactures or distributes pharmaceutical preparations， including cosmetic that fail to meet safety, efficacy, and quality standards.
Consumer Advisory
BPOM has urged consumers to exercise greater caution when selecting cosmetic products and to avoid products offering instant results without safety guarantees. Consumers are advised to verify that products carry an official distribution permit (izin edar) before purchase.
Taruna Ikrar stated, "The increasing number of findings serves as a signal that vigilance must not be lowered. The public must be smarter and more critical in choosing cosmetics. Always select products that have obtained a distribution permit and are used in accordance with the regulations."
CIRS Reminder
Companies manufacturing or distributing cosmetics in Indonesia are advised to:
- Ensure all product formulations comply with BPOM's positive list of permitted ingredients and do not contain prohibited substances
- Verify that valid distribution permits are obtained before placing products on the Indonesian market
- Conduct regular internal quality control testing, particularly for raw materials sourced from third-party suppliers
- Monitor BPOM's published surveillance results and recall announcements to ensure supply chain compliance
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.
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