London Firms Fined For Selling Unsafe Cosmetics

Fifteen London businesses selling unsafe cosmetics have been fined in a crackdown by Trading Standards.

Officials said that some of the products seized contained enough harmful chemicals to cause organ damage in anyone who used them.

The businesses were fined £168,579 for selling unsafe cosmetics, the majority of which were skin lightening products.

London Trading Standards said that prolonged use of the products could lead to skin thinning and discoloration, organ damage, and even cancer.

One of the products, called Grace Duo, contained 18% of the bleaching agent hydroquinone, which Trading Standards said was the highest amount ever found.

Five London boroughs have prosecuted 17 company directors and their 15 companies, with an average fine of £11,239.

Additionally, Trading Standards said it had identified at least 15 online sellers using eBay to offer prohibited skin lightening products for sale, and efforts are currently underway to identify and locate the individuals involved.

Officers in Waltham Forest recently seized more than 3,000 products from one such seller.

Company bosses who sell banned cosmetic products can be fined up to £20,000 per offence and face prison sentences of up to one year.

If you have suffered harm or injury due to faulty or defective products, you may be eligible for compensation. Call our claims team in complete confidence on 0203 206 1133 to discuss your circumstances.

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