SK-II cosmetics get under consumers' skins
By Wu Jiao and Joy Lu (China Daily) Updated: 2006-09-25 09:06
The controversy over unsafe SK-II cosmetics produced by Procter & Gamble
(Japan) Co showed little sign of abating this weekend, with industry experts
warning quality inspection loopholes were putting customers at risk.
As
the company withdrew its SK-II products and shut its 96 sales counters,
customers expressed anger, as well as confusion about the overall safety of
cosmetics. "Who should be responsible for our loss?" one consumer
asked.
"My skin was sore for several days after I used their eye cream. I
made a request for a refund days ago, but it was not answered. There is no way
that the brand can just withdraw from the market and give customers no
compensation," said a middle-aged female consumer in Beijing surnamed
Hu.
Hu's anger was shared by thousands of SK-II customers across the
country, especially after the brand suspended all refunds last
Friday.
Over the weekend, there were reports that P&G's Chinese
website was hacked and clashes broke out at some of its stores.
Law
experts believe the incident reflects loopholes in the country's Law on the
Protection of Consumer Rights.
"The current law states that the producer
should be responsible for consumers once the products have been proved harmful
to their physical health," Qiu Baochang, a senior lawyer in consumer rights with
Beijing-based Huijia Lawfirm, told China Daily.
"But in case of more
ambiguous cases, which have not caused obvious harm to customers, the law
doesn't state clearly whether the producer should be responsible for a refund,"
said Qiu.
Qiu suggested that the law be modified swiftly for the maximum
benefit of the consumers.
On the other hand, Qiu reminded consumers not
to believe without scrutiny what has been promised in advertisements. "Many
adverts just exaggerate the effect of the products. Customers should use common
sense," said Qiu.
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