Two modern mobile mercury analyzers worth Rs. 1.8 million have been donated to the Consumer Affairs Authority under the United Nations Development Programme to enhance consumer safety.
The machines were officially handed over today (27) at the Ministry of Trade in the presence of Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, CAA Director General Samantha Karunaratne, and other officials.
These analyzers will enable authorities to quickly test mercury levels in cosmetic products, including skin-lightening items available in the market.
The donation aims to support the CAA’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers and strengthen rapid testing capabilities.
According to the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, the maximum permissible mercury content in cosmetics is one milligram per kilogram, although previous CAA tests have found some products exceeding this limit.
The new mobile devices will allow on-the-spot testing across the country, helping authorities identify harmful and substandard products more efficiently.
Each test takes only five to ten minutes and does not require additional chemicals or gases, significantly reducing operational costs.
CAA officers have already received technical training, and islandwide testing operations are expected to begin soon.
