Kuala Lumpur: Upko’s Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfried Madius Tangau urged the Government to set up a supervisory body to monitor the beauty industry in the country.
According to him, the demand for beauty science (aesthetics) is currently increasing, causing an increase in the number of practitioners in the market.
“According to a report released by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) in 2013, the cosmetics trade volume was about RM1.7 billion.
“However, for the past 40 years, there has been no specific law to regulating the beauty industry.
“Therefore, aesthetic accidents that cause injury and death have happened to consumers.
“This has raised public concern because the incident was caused by unlicensed beauty practitioners, especially those who are not accredited.”
He said this to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister (KPDNHEP) in a Special Chamber Speech at the Parliament sitting, here.
Madius said any accidents would negatively impact the image of qualified and accredited professional practitioners.
He cited a report from the National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) where 1,771 complaints related to beauty and aesthetics were reported in 2018.
“The complaints include service performance, treatment methods, misinformation, unethical marketing methods, service charges, health complications, package cancellations, membership cancellations as well as issues with business premises, security and fraud.
“This has caused a loss of RM18,857,458.07. Therefore, it is necessary to create a body that can regulate certified beauty practitioners to ensure the safety of consumers,” he stressed.
Commenting further, Madius informed that a self-regulatory body in the industry has made an application to KPDNHEP, but until now has not received any feedback.
“The company is the Association of International Certified Aestheticians (AICA), a non-governmental professional organisation (NGO) that was established in 2015.
“The main objective of establishing this association is to form a complete legal eco-system for the beauty industry.
“AICA has also collaborated with the IPEC Certification Bureau, an ISO certification body accredited by the Malaysian Standards Department to strengthen the beauty profession through the awarding of ISO certificates to individuals who are qualified and meet the set criteria,” he said.
According to Madius, AICA has also published a “Beauty Therapist and Aesthetic Specialist Guideline” specifically for beauty practitioners.
“I suggest that an NGO such as AICA be given the responsibility to regulate the beauty industry in the interest of the people and contribute to the national economy.
“This body should work with KPDNHEP, the Health Ministry and other relevant agencies to realise this goal.
“I would like to ask what steps have been or will be taken by the Ministry to regulate the beauty industry and prevent unwanted incidents from happening and protect consumers in the future,” he added.
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