ISLAMABAD, Jul 29 (APP):The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP), on Wednesday agreed to strengthen national safety standards and regulatory enforcement to eliminate lead from consumer products, including turmeric, paints, traditional eye liners (surma), and other commonly used items. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, UNICEF Officer-in-Charge Representative …
MoST, UNICEF, LEEP join hands to tighten lead-free safety standards for consumer products
ISLAMABAD, Jul 29 (APP):The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP), on Wednesday agreed to strengthen national safety standards and regulatory enforcement to eliminate lead from consumer products, including turmeric, paints, traditional eye liners (surma), and other commonly used items.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, UNICEF Officer-in-Charge Representative Sharmeela Rasool, and LEEP Country Head Abid Hasan.
Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Shahid Iqbal Baloch and Chairman of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Dr. Syed Hussain Abidi also attended the meeting.
The participants discussed the health risks posed by lead exposure, particularly for children and pregnant women, and stressed the need for stringent national safety standards and stronger regulatory mechanisms to ensure lead-free consumer products.
The minister announced that these products would be brought under the mandatory certification regime of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), saying the move would strengthen regulatory oversight, improve market surveillance, and ensure that only safe and quality-assured products reach consumers.
UNICEF and LEEP reaffirmed their commitment to providing technical assistance to the ministry and its affiliated organisations in developing and implementing national standards, building institutional capacity, training technical and regulatory personnel, upgrading laboratory infrastructure, improving testing facilities, and enhancing quality assurance and regulatory enforcement.
Khalid Hussain Magsi appreciated the continued support of UNICEF and LEEP in strengthening Pakistan’s quality infrastructure, saying robust standards, effective regulatory systems, and modern laboratories were essential to protecting public health and ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens.
Both sides agreed to translate the commitments into practical actions through coordinated technical cooperation, institutional strengthening, and regulatory reforms aimed at reducing lead exposure, improving consumer product safety, reinforcing national testing and certification systems, and protecting children and other vulnerable groups.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Ministry of Science and Technology, PSQCA, PCSIR, UNICEF, and LEEP to advancing product safety, strengthening Pakistan’s quality infrastructure, and ensuring a healthier and safer future for all.
