Life of Guangzhou - SK-II Refund Policy Expanded

The refund policy for nine luxury cosmetic products sold under the brand SK-II was broadened yesterday, after the national quality watchdog announced the products were "unsafe" and ordered a nationwide withdrawal.

According to the latest policy, costumers who purchased any of the nine products from any authorized SK-II counter in Shenzhen are entitled to a full refund upon producing valid purchase receipts and products.

The exit-entry inspection and quarantine bureau said it would launch a citywide inspection on imported cosmetics today following an order from State authorities.

The Japan-made products, manufactured by Max Factor, one of Procter & Gamble's biggest brands, reportedly contain ingredients banned on the mainland, including heavy metal chromium and neodymium.

All problematic cosmetics and samples were withdrawn Friday from the brand's counters in Seibu, MOI, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.

Wang Jun, public relation manager for SK-II's China headquarters in Guangzhou, said Saturday that customers can have a refund on the nine products.

But he insisted that each bottle needs to be at least one-third full, and customers need to provide an anaphylaxis diagnosis signed by a doctor.

A saleswoman at an SK-II counter in Seibu said yesterday that all promotions had been terminated until further notice, though she believed sales would rebound to normal next month.

In a statement released late Thursday, Procter & Gamble's Guangzhou headquarters denied it had added the substances to its products and said all products had passed a strict examination by the health and quarantine authorities when entering the Chinese market.

The company released its second statement Friday, saying it would cooperate with the authorities to resolve the issue.

The State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said late Thursday that the brand's whitening source pan-cake contained 4.5 milligrams of neodymium per kilogram, while the other eight products, including cleansing oil, essence, mask, cream, lotionsand foundation, contained 0.77 to two milligrams of chromium per kilogram.

The substances are banned in cosmetics on the mainland, as they could cause eczema and liver problems if used over a long period of time.

The State authority ordered local bureaus to keep a closer eye on Japan-made cosmetics and demanded through the Japanese Embassy in Beijing that Japan make sure its exports to China meet local standards.

Last year, Procter & Gamble's SK-II skin care products were accused of containing harmful ingredients. A customer sued the company in Jiangxi Province and Procter & Gamble was fined 200,000 yuan for "false and exaggerated advertisement."

SK-II cosmetics are sold in major department stores in 34 Chinese cities.

Inquiries can made to the brand's hotline, 800-830-3365.