Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition said on Friday that it expected a thorough and transparent investigation, guided by credible science, into findings by the University of the Free State’s Microbiology Department, regarding certain sanitary products sold in South Africa.

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is investigating a study by the university, which found that some sanitary pads and panty liners contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can lead to health issues such as hormonal imbalance, infertility, endometriosis and some cancers.

The committee said it viewed the allegations seriously, given that the products are used by millions of women and young girls across the country.

“Any risk to their health, particularly from products marketed as safe, demands urgent and decisive action,” said committee chairperson Mzwandile Masina.

On Thursday, the NCC launched an investigation into nine major suppliers of sanitary pads and panty liners in South Africa.

Masina welcomed the NCC’s investigation instead of a product recall, indicating a need for further probing to validate the findings.

The NCC highlighted that it was working with other regulators with specialised testing capabilities to independently review the university’s report and conduct additional testing.

Masina said the process must determine whether affected products should be removed from retail shelves and also strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences.

“This includes reviewing compliance systems, strengthening testing protocols, and ensuring manufacturers adhere strictly to product safety standards,” he added, noting the need for urgency.

“Consumers deserve clear answers on whether these products are safe, whether any standards have been violated, and what corrective steps will follow if wrongdoing is confirmed,” he added.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for stronger regulatory frameworks to ensure mandatory ingredient transparency and safety standards for menstrual hygiene products.

The party called for an immediate testing and public reporting by the South African Bureau of Standards on chemical content in sanitary products sold locally.

DA spokesperson for Women, Youth & People with Disabilities Angel Khanyile said an oversight engagement by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to determine potential health risks was required, as well as full disclosure from manufacturers regarding the chemical composition of their products.