Online shopping has become a way of life for millions of urban residents here in China.
Li Chengdong, an e-commerce strategy analyst, says the online cosmetics trade, in particular, has undergone rapid development in recent years.
"The total value of the cosmetics trade in China is estimated to be up to 300 billion Yuan. The price of cosmetics sold online is often cheaper compared with those sold at brick-and-mortar shops."
Along with the booming online trade of cosmetics, the sector has been receiving an increasing number of complaints lodged by shoppers.
"The cosmetic product I once bought online was different from its counterpart sold at brick-and-mortar stores. Now, I an disheartened and will not buy those things online."
"Claims about products advertised by online cosmetics retailers often are not true. They should not post untrue advertisements to promote their goods."
The issue of quality and irregular advertisement concerning cosmetics sold online prompted the China Food and Drug Administration to publish a draft regulation on Nov. 15th.
The regulation demands online cosmetic sellers to provide adequate lab and evaluation data for the advertised effects of their products.
Moreover, online shopping website operators are required to compensate consumers if the operators can't provide the identity and contact information of the cosmetic seller to the consumer once complaints occur.
The draft regulation is subject to public opinion until the end of this month.
China has over 630 million Internet users.
The e-commerce market is estimated to grow at annual rate of 25 percent to reach nearly $720 billion US dollars in 2017.
For CRI, I'm Yin Xiuqi.
