Non-government organization EcoWaste Coalition lauded Baguio City for banning wet wipes containing injurious substances that can result in skin allergy.
The city council recently passed Ordinance 8, s. 2020 entitled, “Prohibiting the sale of wet wipes and other similar baby products with harmful ingredients in the City of Baguio.”
“We congratulate the Baguio City government for enacting this ordinance that will protect consumers, especially newborns, infants, and toddlers, from certain substances in wet wipes that can provoke contact dermatitis,” said Thony Dizon, chemical safety campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition.
According to the World Allergy Organization, a global federation of allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology societies, “contact dermatitis is a skin disorder characterized by redness, itching, and vesiculation resulting from contact with environmental substances that elicit an allergic and/or irritant response.”
The ordinance prohibits the sale of wet wipes and similar baby products containing iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, and parabens.
Among the listed non-compliant baby wipes not allowed to be sold in the city are Dong Bang, Dong Bang Yao Baby Tender, Family Treasure Baby Tender, Sky Fire, Giggley, and Super Soft Skin Care Towel.
The ordinance assigned the City Health Services Office (CHSO) in coordination with the Public Order and Safety Division of the City Mayor’s Office, the City Police Office, and the barangays to inspect retail outlets and to confiscate non-compliant products.
Business establishments found to have violated the ordinance shall be fined P1,000 on first offense and immediate closure for establishments without a business permit; P3,000 on second offense and closure until compliance; and P5,000 on third offense and non-renewal of business permit.
Businesses and individuals who voluntarily surrender non-compliant products to the CHSO are not penalized.
The CHSO in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration and the City Environment and Parks Management Office shall determine the appropriate and environment-friendly disposal of the surrendered products. – Press release
April 27, 2024
