ISLAMABAD: Despite earlier objections from the federal government’s Right Sizing Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is moving ahead with setting up a new cosmetics body.
This unexpected development, which was recently celebrated within the ministry, raises concerns about redundancy and inefficiency, with the right-sizing committee having previously expressed concerns about the ability of the Ministry of Science and Technology to manage its existing institutions.
The government’s broader efforts to streamline its operations may be undermined by the move, which appears to duplicate the mandate of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). PSQCA already oversees standards and quality control in various sectors, including cosmetics. Industry stakeholders are concerned that this additional authority will create trade barriers, increase the potential for corruption, and confuse the business community.
By duplicating responsibilities already managed by the PSQCA, the new authority risks creating overlapping roles, adding complexity to the regulatory landscape, and increasing operational confusion for businesses.
This redundancy is expected to raise compliance costs, extend approval times, and potentially impact competitiveness.
Moreover, the establishment of a separate body opens new opportunities for corruption, including bribery, nepotism, delays and red tape, while reducing transparency and accountability.
In addition, this decision appears to conflict with Pakistan’s obligations under the WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement, which emphasizes transparency in regulatory processes, removal of redundant standards, and simplification of assessment procedures.
The new authority will also impose additional financial burdens on the government by requiring additional infrastructure, staff, and additional support for the overlapping bureaucracy.
To address these concerns, we urge the government to conduct a comprehensive review of the current regulatory framework, clarify roles among existing authorities, strengthen inter-ministerial coordination, and ensure compliance with WTO agreements. Such measures would promote a more efficient and trade-friendly environment, reduce financial pressures, and promote a transparent and corruption-free regulatory system.
The business community and stakeholders are encouraged to voice their concerns and call for a simplified and effective regulatory approach, urging the government to reconsider this decision in favor of a simplified, WTO-compliant framework free of duplication and corruption.