Nigeria unveils digital portal to combat counterfeit cosmetic products 

NIGERIA – The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigeria’s primary federal competition regulator, has launched a QR code traceability system to combat the growing issue of counterfeit cosmetics. 

This initiative, developed in coordination with a Joint Inter-Agency Committee, aims to transform the way consumers verify product authenticity while enhancing regulatory oversight in the personal care sector.

The committee has key stakeholders from various regulatory and enforcement bodies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the nigeria police force (NPF), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC). 

Their collective efforts aim to strengthen measures against counterfeit products, enhance consumer protection, and improve enforcement mechanisms across industries.

Through the implementation of a Digital Traceability Portal, the system assigns unique QR codes to registered cosmetic products, enabling consumers, retailers, manufacturers and regulators to instantly verify authenticity. 

In addition, the systems are designed to track product movement across the supply chain, ensuring comprehensive oversight from manufacturing to retail distribution.

Kola Alabi, FCCPC’s Executive Commissioner for Corporate Services, stated, “As the apex regulator, the Commission has sought the collaboration of key stakeholders in developing this platform to ensure traceability and authenticity of products.”

“Our goal is to deliver a solution that reduces counterfeiting and addresses other challenges within the supply chain.”

“This initiative will not only empower consumers to make informed decisions but also foster a safer, more transparent marketplace.” 

The FCCPC asserts that this initiative aligns with its mandate to ensure fair market practices, consumer protection, and inter-agency coordination under the FCCPA 2018.

Counterfeit cosmetics remain a serious health threat, often containing unregulated chemicals that can lead to adverse reactions. 

Nigeria’s commitment to curbing fraudulent products comes at a time when global markets are turning to digital verification technologies to uphold product safety and brand integrity. 

Similar systems have been introduced internationally, though concerns persist regarding cloning vulnerabilities and cyber fraud risks. 

According to FCCPA, if executed effectively, Nigeria’s QR code authentication system could serve as a blueprint for digital consumer protection, setting new standards in the fight against counterfeit cosmetics.

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