Held in Lima on March 14th, the meeting examined the feasibility of a standard proposed by the member country in November last year, called Decision 833.
The Decision established a specific set of requirements and procedures to comply with for cosmetics products originating in the Andean region, as well as product imported into the member countries.
Over 150 entrepreneurs present
The symposium included more than 150 entrepreneurs from cosmetics and personal care companies across the member countries and was organized by CAN and the Peru Chamber of Commerce.
During the symposium, Jorge Hernando Pedraza, secretary General of CAN highlighted how the harmonization of legislation for cosmetics would serve to safeguard and protect the health of over 110 million Andean consumers.
"A fundamental goal in achieving commercial integration in the Andean Community, which has existed for almost 50 years, is the harmonization of the laws of the countries on issues related to the field of health and wellbeing products, with the ultimate aim protecting the citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru," said Jorge Hernando Pedraza.
Cosmetics is a fast growing industry
During the Symposium, Pedraza pointed out that the export of cosmetics products in the region has now reached $486m, with $247m of that figure being imported within the region, and the remaining $239 million being exported outside the region.
Decision 833 is estimated to impact approximately 883 cosmetic and personal care businesses operating throughout the region, with approximately two thirds of those businesses based in Peru.
The symposium was also attended by experts from the General Secretariat of the CAN, the Ministry of Foreign Trade (MINCETUR), the General Directorate of Medicines, Supplies and Drugs (DIGEMID);of the Peruvian Chamber of Cosmetics and Hygiene of the Chamber (COPECOH), among other institutions.
