The background of SK-II's "heavy metal" cosmetics problem
The furor started in 14th September 2006 when China's quality watchdog discovered trace amounts of chromium and neodymium that can cause skin allergies and other health problems, in several SK-II products such as whitening agents and facial creams. All the problem products were made by P&G in Japan. On that day, the owner of SK-II denied it had added the substances to its products. A television news group in Hong Kong also conducted lab tests on the samples it had collected and the result shows they contained the two substances.
Until 17th September, 3 days after the China¡¦s quality watchdog report, SK-II finally declare on Hong Kong several major newspapers, said that the neodymium and chromium detected in SK-II cosmetics came from raw materials and only posed a minor hazard to consumers' health if used properly so they did not conduct a product recall in Hong Kong.
The return policy of SK-II¡¦s products in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, after the research from China, SK-II said they won¡¦t test all the prodcust and stop to sell their products in the markets. After that, some of the shop in Hong Kong like Manling, Watsons, SaSa etc. stopped to sell SK-II¡¦s products. SK-II started the return policy for Hong Kong customers and it lasted for 14-day, it only limited to nine of its skin-care products which contains chemical substances, chromium and neodymium. Customers who have passed the return deadline can call the company hotline, and the managing director of SK-II owner Procter and Gamble (Hong Kong) said "special exceptions" will only be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Suggestions to solve the problem
In the press conference, SK-II will make it clear to declare that they are still in ...