Consumers and Corporates Unite to Oppose New Laws

Media release 20th May 2007

Kiwi Consumers and Corporates Unite to Oppose New Laws Affecting Favourite Brands

A nationwide survey released today shows overwhelming public resistance to the creation of the proposed trans-Tasman Therapeutic Goods Agency, which would see Kiwis’ favourite products pulled from the shelves and consumer choice significantly reduced.

More than 1000 of New Zealander’s best loved cosmetics, sunscreens and dietary supplements will be unavailable under the Government’s move to create a joint Therapeutic Goods Agency with Australia – an outcome which has seen beauty industry giants, skin cancer sufferers and dermatologists alike unite to voice their resistance.

Popular Kiwi brands affected by the proposed legislation include; Yves Saint Laurent, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, Nutrimetics, Christian Dior, Revlon and Elizabeth Arden and many more.

Garth Wyllie, Executive Director of the CTFA (Cosmetic Toiletries Fragrance Association) says scientific innovation has been significantly affected by the introduction of the TGA to Australia 10 years ago, with few new products hitting the shelves.

Member cosmetic companies are also concerned about the reduction in scientific innovation, stating that the introduction of Australian manufacturing standards in New Zealand would almost certainly halt research and development, creating an ultimate disincentive to bring new products to the market.

Mr Wyllie says implications of a joint agency are such that if sunscreens now commonly available in New Zealand, Europe and the United States were to be regulated similar to Australia, many of these products would simply disappear from our shelves.

“Under the new TGA legislation four of the five best selling sunscreens on our shelves will no longer be available, a worrying fact given that New Zealand has the second highest rate of skin cancer in the world,” says Mr Wyllie.

The new move, which will bring the nation’s sunscreen legislation in line with Australian standards, has skincare specialists worried.

Dr Kevin McKerrow, President of the New Zealand Dermatologist Society says the proposed legislation is the last thing New Zealand needs.

“As a dermatologist my primary concern is the health and wellbeing of my patients,” he says. “Protectionism of this sort is not the name of the game.”

According to Dr McKerrow, if major international sunscreens are forced to change to follow the requirements of the trans-Tasman Therapeutic Goods approach, it will impact negatively on both consumers and suppliers, creating increased costs and withdrawal of products.

Dr McKerrow says many of his skin cancer patients are currently using high SPF sunscreens which would be taken off New Zealand shelves under the new legislation. “At the end of the day it’s those people and the general consumer who have the most to lose.”

Skin cancer sufferer Elaine Wolstenholme agrees with Dr McKerrow. The Auckland woman has had many skin cancer procedures on her face and now relies on sunblock to help prevent more damage.
Mrs Wolstenholme uses Neutrogena UltraSheer Sunblock which has an SPF 55 and says she would not want to see this product removed from New Zealand shelves.

“I think that we should have a choice of what is purchased from overseas and we should stay independent”.

Act MP Rodney Hide is also against the introduction of the TGA in New Zealand.

“Once again we have a bossy-boots government ignoring the wishes of the vast majority of New Zealanders in the mistaken belief that government knows best. Well, it doesn’t,” he says.

According to the latest independent research commissioned by Johnson & Johnson nearly two thirds (64%) of New Zealanders surveyed had not heard of the proposed trans-Tasman Therapeutic Goods Agency which is due to be voted on in Parliament next month.

The proposed TGA legislation needs only one more MP’s vote to proceed, with Labour already voicing their support for a joint agency. However, the National Party, Greens, Act and Labour’s Taito Philip Field have all vocalised their opposition to the proposed legislation.

The research conducted by Consumer Link (a division of Colmar Brunton) showed when the proposed Agency was described to respondents, more than half (52%) said they disagreed with the establishment of a trans-Tasman Therapeutic Goods Agency. A further 16% didn’t have enough information to make a decision.

Johnson & Johnson Managing Director Craig Towers says along with other members of the CTFA, Johnson & Johnson want to encourage awareness among consumers.

“This is a significant issue for consumers, so it is imperative that members of the public have the knowledge necessary to understand how the new legislation will affect them and act accordingly,” says Mr. Towers.

Just some of the products affected by the new legislation include: see list below.

ENDS

Notes to Editors: This is not an exhaustive list

Johnson & Johnson:

* NEUTROGENA Moisture SPF15 115ml
* NEUTROGENA Healthy Defense SPF30 Untinted 50ml
* NEUTROGENA Healthy Defense SPF30 Tinted 50ml
* NEUTROGENA Healthy Skin Anti Wrinkle Cream SPF15 40gm
* NEUTROGENA Visibly Firm Face Lotion SPF20 50ml
* NEUTROGENA UltraSheer Sunblock SPF30 90ml
* NEUTROGENA Ultra Sheer Sunblock SPF55 90ml
* NEUTROGENA Fresh Cooling SPF30 141.5g
* NEUTROGENA Fresh Cooling SPF45 141.5g
* NEUTROGENA Age Shield SPF30 118ml
* NEUTROGENA Age Shield SPF45 118ml
* CLEAN & CLEAR Morning Glow Moisturiser 118ml SPF 15

* JOHNSON'S Daily Facial Moisturiser SPF15 50ml

* PIZ BUIN SPF8 In Sun Lotion 200ml

* PIZ BUIN SPF15 In Sun Lotion 200ml

* PIZ BUIN SPF30 In Sun Lotion 200ml

* PIZ BUIN SPF30 In Sun Body Spray S09 200ml

* PIZ BUIN One Day Long SPF30 Lotion 100ml

* PIZ BUIN Allergy SPF30 Lotion 200ml

* PIZ BUIN SPF20 Lipstick 4.9g S06

* PIZ BUIN Radiant Face UVB-UVA Cream SPF30

Elizabeth Arden:

* Daily Moisture Lotion SPF15 50ml

* Extreme Conditioning Cream SPF15 50ml

* First Defense Advanced Anti-Oxidant Cream SPF15 50ml

* First Defense Advanced Anti-Oxidant Lotion SPF15 50ml

* Let There Be Light Lotion SPF15 50ml

* Eight Hour Cream Lipcare Stick SPF15

* Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint SPF15 (available in 4 shades)

* Ceramide Time Complex Moisture Cream SPF15 50g

* Ceramide Plump Perfect Moisture Cream SPF30 50g

* Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream SPF30 15ml

* Ceramide Plump Perfect Eye Moisture Cream SPF15 15ml

* Ceramide Eyes Time Complex Cream SPF10 15ml

* Sun Science Superblock Cream SPF30 100ml

* Green Tea Skincare Energizing Moisture Lotion SPF15 50ml

* Ceramide Plump Perfect Makeup SPF15 (available in 10 shades)

* Flawless Finish Dual Perfection Makeup SPF8 (available in 8 shades)

* Flawless Finish Bare Perfection Makeup SPF8 (available in 10 shades)

* Flawless Finish Radiant Moisture Makeup SPF8 (available in 10 shades)

* Sheer Lights Tinted Moisturizer SPF15 (available in 4 shades)

Clinique:

* Clinique Super City Block Face Protector SPF40

* Clinique UV Response for Face SPF50

* Clinique UV Response for Body SPF50

L’Oreal

* Soleil Ultra Body Milk SPF50

* Soleil Ultra Face Cream SPF50+

* UV Expert SPF50

* Star Bronzer SPF8

* Aqua Fusion Teinte SPF15

* Aqua Fusion SPF15

* Bienfait Multi-Vital Fluide SPF30

* Bienfait Multi-Vital Moisturiser SPF15

* Primordiale Optimum Cream SPF15

* Primordiale Optimum Fluide SPF15

* Platinuem Restructuring Cream SPF15

* Absolue Premium Bx Cream SPF15

* Absolue Premium Bx Fluide SPF15

* Absolue Mains Anti-Dark Spot Hand Treatment SPF15

* Teint Idole Ultra SPF10

* Teint Renergie Lift SPF20

* Adaptive SPF10

* Color Ideal SPF15

* Photogenic Ultra Confort SPF12

* Absolue Teint SPF20

* Le Rogue Absolu lipstick SPF15

* Solar Expertise Milk Spray Mist SPF30

* Solar Expertise Ultra Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+

* Solar Expertise Active Anti-Wrinkle & Brown Spot SPF50+

* Solar Expertise ACtive Anti-Wrinkle & Brown Spot SPF30

* Solar Expertise Advanced Anti-ageing Sun Protection Lotion SPF25

* Dermo Expertise Futur.e SPF15

* Dermo Expertise Visible Results SPF15

* Dermo Expertise Revitalift Day SPF15

* Dermo Expertise Age Reperfect SPF15

* Visible Lift Firming SPF17

* True Match SPF17

* Infallible SPF18

* Bare Naturale SPF19

* Ideal Balance SPF10

* ReFinish Micro-Dermabrasion Kit SPF15 (in post treatment only)

* Instant Age Rewind SPF18

* Moisture Extreme lipstick SPF15

* Nutritionist SPF15

* Stop SPF15

* UltraLift SPF15

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