The Myanmar Thanakha Association will call for laboratory testing of cosmetics that claim to have thanakha as an ingredient, in a move to curb the sale of fake cosmetics, said U Kyaw Moe, the chairman of the association.

The drive against spurious cosmetics will be launched with the cooperation of the Myanmar Competition Commission and the Consumer Affairs Department, he said.

“The Thanakha Conference will be held in Monywa in October. During that month, we will demand that cosmetics which claim to have thanakha as an ingredient be tested in the laboratory. We will demand the tests so fake cosmetics which have been imported or produced locally can be identified. Our association will make utmost effort in cooperation with the Myanmar Competition Commission and the Consumer Affairs Department. Perhaps, action cannot be initiated against the manufacturers of fake cosmetics as it may not be legally binding. Even though we cannot demand legal action, our association will denounce the cheating of customers,” said U Kyaw Moe.

“We will take samples of cosmetics which do not have any thanakha to the Thanakha Conference. Our plan is to make this kind of unethical activity known to the authorities. They should be aware that such fake cosmetics are being distributed in the market. Our association will put a clearance label on genuine thanakha cosmetics, which have either been imported or produced within the country. Our association will protect consumers. And, we will tell consumers to buy only thanakha cosmetics bearing our clearance labels,” he said.

“Women are attracted to cosmetics that are packaged well. But, they are not aware that some cosmetics may not contain thanakha, even though they claim to do so. If a cosmetic has thanakha, producers must provide its samples for laboratory testing. Then, the association will issue clearance labels,” he added.

The Myanmar Thanakha Association has more than 300 members. Thanakha festivals and competitions have been held twice at the Kyauktawgyi pagoda in Mandalay. Such festivals have also been held in Ayadaw, Shwebo, Yesagyo, and Myaing towns.—Myo Win Tun (Monywa) (Translated by Hay Mar)