Italian competitors regulators, AGCM [1], stated on Friday, March 27, they’ve opened a probe into French luxurious group LVMH and its Sephora and Profit subsidiaries in Italy for selling skincare merchandise to minors, together with youngsters below 10 or 12 years of age, and youngsters.
“The investigations have been opened over considerations that essential data — similar to warnings and precautions for cosmetics not supposed for, or examined on, minors — could have been omitted or offered in a deceptive method,” the AGCM competitors authority stated in a press release. The Sephora Assortment and Profit Cosmetics traces are on the core of the investigation.
The businesses are suspected of getting “adopted a very insidious advertising and marketing technique, involving very younger micro-influencers who encourage the compulsive buy of cosmetics amongst younger individuals, a very susceptible group”.
The AGCM stated the merchandise being pushed are primarily face masks, serums and anti-ageing lotions.
In a press release to AFP, the businesses stated they might “absolutely cooperate” with the authorities and “reaffirmed their strict compliance with the related Italian laws”.
Whereas not unlawful to promote such merchandise to under-age prospects, the AGCM stated “the frequent and mixed use of a variety of cosmetics by minors, with out correct consciousness, could also be dangerous to their well being”.
Sephora and LVMH premises in Italy have been raided on Thursday, March 26, in accordance with the AGCM. The businesses might face substantial fines.
Stephanie Mallet, president of the French Society for Pediatric Dermatology, advised AFP that the investigation was “essential”.
“It’s not regular to permit one thing that has no profit for the kid and might even be dangerous for revenue,” Mallet stated.
“Once I hear individuals speaking about ’skincare’ and wonder routines for youngsters, it makes me livid, as a result of a toddler’s pores and skin doesn’t want something. It’s neither too dry, nor too oily, nor too pink, nor too wrinkled. It completely doesn’t want something apart from washing with water and a mild cleanser,” she insisted.
