In a bold move to combat the entry and online sale of counterfeit cosmetics in the country, 18 cosmetics companies have joined forces by signing the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), facilitated by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).

The Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP), along with 18 of its member companies, formalized the agreement, building on CCIP’s 2023 partnership with IPOPHL. This collaboration has enabled closer coordination in addressing intellectual property (IP) violations and allowed IPOPHL to train CCIP members on integrating IP protection and enforcement into their business strategies.

With the signing of the landmark E-Commerce MOU, CCIP aims to intensify its intellectual property enforcement efforts to safeguard the industry against counterfeiting.

IPOPHL Director General Brigitte da Costa-Villaluz commended CCIP’s proactive stance in protecting the intellectual property and brand reputation of its member companies while ensuring the general public’s access to safe, authentic cosmetics.

“Through this MOU, CCIP and its members will now be part of a collective drive to protect both the cosmetics industry and the health and safety of consumers. This collaboration serves as a protective measure, ensuring that cosmetics — ranging from skincare to makeup — are valued not only for their high quality but also for their authenticity,” said Da Costa-Villaluz, who was the primary witness to the signing.

The MOU also brings together online platforms, brand owners, industry associations, and chambers of commerce, aiming to establish a code of practice for online businesses, enhance collaboration among signatories, and implement an efficient notice and takedown procedure for counterfeit products.

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Nathaniel Arevalo highlighted the MOU’s effectiveness, stating, “Originally conceived as a stopgap measure, the MOU has proven to be a powerful tool in the fight against IP violators who flood online platforms with fake cosmetic products. It complements the objectives of the Internet Transactions Act (ITA) and has been recognized as a best practice within the ASEAN region.”

As the cosmetics industry continues to expand, CCIP president and Amway Philippines president Christine Michelle Reyes emphasized the increasing vulnerability to online counterfeiting.

“The rise of e-commerce platforms has accelerated the spread of counterfeit goods online. Brands face challenges in protecting their intellectual property, dealing with damaged reputations, and mitigating risks to consumer safety due to unsafe or substandard products. Signing this E-Commerce MOU is a pivotal move toward a more collaborative strategy in tackling counterfeit cosmetic products in online marketplaces. We are grateful to IPOPHL for this partnership, which we believe will help both emerging and established brands succeed,” Reyes stated.

In addition to CCIP, the following 18 member companies have signed the agreement: JRadiance Corp., GT Cosmetics Manufacturing Inc., Kimiki Solutions, Inc., Chemworld Marketing Corp., Rainiers Research & Development Institute, Inc., Vivanti Executive Advantage, Inc., Z Lab International Corp., Snoe Beaute Produits, Inc., Scentful Lifestyle Concepts OPC, Green Cross, Inc., Amway Philippines LLC, Chromaesthetics, Inc., UL Skin Sciences, Inc., Personal Collection Direct Selling, Inc., Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc., Ivy Andrea Beauty Corp., Prime Global Corp., and Elegant Fumes Beauty Products, Inc.

With these latest signatories, the total number of E-Commerce MOU participants now stands at 65.